How to Correctly Punctuate Bullet Point Lists

How to punctuate bullet lists can be tricky because various style guides contradict each other.

Use a period after every bullet that is a sentence or after a bullet list that completes the opening stem sentence that introduces it. Don’t use a period if the bullet lists are one word or a short phrase that feels like an inventory or shopping list

We have three punctuation issues to consider:

1. Should the ending punctuation at each bullet list be a period, a semicolon, or no punctuation?

2. Should the first letter of the bullet list be capitalized?

3. Should the opening stem sentence end with a colon to introduce the bullet lists or use no colon?

Let me frame my recommendations. You are reading a blog that focuses on business writing. The most accepted style guide in business writing and web publishing is the AP Stylebook. We recommend following the AP Stylebook’s bullet punctuation, with additional clarifications that AP doesn’t address. 

The Ending Punctuation of Each Bullet

By far, this is the most vexing punctuation issue!

AP Stylebook recommends:

“Capitalize the first word following the dash or bullet. Use periods, not semicolons, at the end of each section or a phrase.” This is clear, but AP doesn’t fully address when to omit a period at the end of each bullet.

The Gregg Reference Manual uses periods only after bullets, which are dependent clauses and long phrases.

Garner's Modern American Usage inserts periods at the end of bullet lists only if the bullet list begins with a capital letter. However, Garner qualifies this:

"If you begin each item with a lowercase letter, put a semicolon at the end of each item, use and after the next-to-last item, and put a period after the last item." Garner calls this "vertical lists punctuated as a sentence." This is where the semicolon confusion comes in.

The Chicago Manual of Style has pages of rules and examples of bullet lists that agree with the Garner style recommendation to use semicolons after each item, use and after the next-to-last item, and use a period at the end of the last item. 

Here is an example of that style:

I love traveling to Ireland because of its:

• connection to my family;
• beautiful green scenery; and
• friendly, fun, welcoming people.

I do not recommend this “vertical lists punctuated as a sentence” format with semicolons for business writing. It’s visually cluttered, impeding easy scan. While it’s not wrong and some style guides recommend this, it’s not the best business writing choice. 

I recommend AP’s style guidance for end punctuation:

• Use a period or other full stop after every bullet in a sentence. (Just like this bullet list you’re reading now.)
• Use a period after a bullet list that completes the opening stem sentence that introduces it.
• Don’t use a period after bullet lists that are not complete sentences or do not complete the opening stem sentence. 
• Don’t use semicolons to end punctuation. 
• Use either all full sentences in your bullet lists or all fragments. Avoid a mix.

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All of these recommendations follow AP, but one clarification is needed. Don’t use a period at the end of a bullet if the bullet lists are one word or a short phrase that feels like an inventory or shopping list. 

Here is an example of bullet lists that need a period to complete the introductory stem sentence:

I love traveling to Ireland because of its:

• Connection to my family.
• Beautiful green scenery.
• Friendly, fun, welcoming people.

Here is an example of bullet lists that do not need a period because they are fragments not connected to the introductory stem sentence:

These are reasons I love traveling to Ireland:

• Connection to my family
• Beautiful green scenery
• Friendly, fun, welcoming people

Here is an example of bullet lists that do not need a period because they’re one word or a short phrase that feels like an inventory or shopping list:

I love traveling to Ireland because of its:

• Natural beauty
• Friendly people
• Music
• Brown bread
• Rainbows
• History

Should the First Letter of the Bullet List be Capitalized?

This issue is straightforward.

Yes. In business writing, capitalize the first letter of bullet lists. 

All style guides agree to capitalize the first letter of the bullet list unless you opt for the "vertical lists punctuated as a sentence" format using semicolons, illustrated above.

Good business writing seeks to make information easy to understand. It’s illogical to use semicolons and “vertical lists punctuated as sentences” in business writing because it’s visually cluttered and harder to scan. 

Problem solved. In business writing, capitalize the first letter and keep bullet list punctuation clean.

I love traveling to Ireland because of its:

• Connection to my family.
• Beautiful green scenery.
• Friendly, fun, welcoming people.

Should the Opening Stem Sentence End With a Colon?

Another easy decision.

Yes, in business writing, use a colon at the end of the introductory stem sentence. 

I love traveling to Ireland because of its: [AP, Garner, and Gregg use the colon here. Chicago Manual of Style does not. Again, style guides don’t agree.]

• Connection to my family.
• Beautiful green scenery.
• Friendly, fun, welcoming people.

Because AP recommends the colon and AP is the preferred business writing style guide, I recommend using it consistently in your business writing. 

Not using a colon isn’t wrong, but omit it only with certainty that you comply with the style guide of your choice. 

Does Punctuation in Bullet Lists Matter?

Are we nitpicking punctuation when considering bullet lists? Certainly, your business writing’s substance and information are far more critical than exacting punctuation that technically is neither correct nor incorrect since style guides vary. 

However, clear bullet list punctuation adds visual “scan-ability” to your business writing. It makes it easier for your reader. Careful punctuation also reflects thought and care. 

If you feel punctuation does not matter, consider the impact of punctuation in these bullet lists:

• A woman without her man is nothing. 
• A woman. Without her, man is nothing.

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How to Write a Better Bullet Point List

Bulleted lists allow you to share information in a memorable, succinct way. Here are three tried-and-true tips that can help you write compelling bullet points and strengthen your business writing.

1. Identify the right information.

Not all types of information are right for a list. Too many bulleted lists in an email or report will distort your ideas and potentially even bore your reader. So, work to strike a balance between bulleted items and explanatory paragraphs. This creates a satisfying reading rhythm for your audience — whether you’re writing a blog post or an annual report. 

Here are the kinds of information best suited to a bulleted list:

• Key takeaways from an article, report, or white paper
• Main points from a meeting or sales presentation
• Data from a specific report, case study, or survey

2. Start with a compelling, comprehensive lead-in statement.

All bullet points should have a lead-in statement that contextualizes every point on the list. Typically, you should include a colon after your lead-in statement.

As you write your bullets, if you find that one of them doesn’t fit with the lead-in statement, you should leave it off. Find another place to share that information. 

Each bullet point should complete or respond to the lead-in statement. For example, in the above list, each item is a kind of information that can be shared, so it belongs together in one list. 

You can also lead in with half of a sentence — and let each bullet point complete that sentence. When you do this, it’s best to include punctuation on each list item. Here’s an example:

Every year, my family goes to San Diego to:

• Swim in the Pacific ocean.
• Hang out with our cousins.
• Eat at our favorite restaurants.
• Visit the amazing zoo.

See how each bulleted item completes the sentence above? 

“Every year, my family goes to San Diego to visit the amazing zoo.” 

You can also create a bulleted list where each item is an individual sentence. Here’s an example of that strategy.

For tomorrow’s meeting, I recommend that you all prepare in these ways:

1. Read through the creative brief the client emailed us last week.
2. Take notes on the provided research articles, which were part of that email.
3. Pull work from our shared files that relate to this project.
4. Compile your thoughts in a one-page document to bring to our meeting.

Here, I’ve used numbers instead of bullet points because these actions are best taken in this particular order. 

I’ve also made sure that each bullet starts the same way: with a verb. This creates consistency and makes our bullets “parallel,” which is our final tip. 

3. Keep each bullet parallel.

Remember how I said each item on your bulleted list should fit with the others? That’s one way to keep a list “parallel” in concept so your reader won’t be confused.

It would not make sense, for example, if the final item in the list didn’t follow the same pattern by leading with a verb. 

1. Read through the creative brief the client emailed us last week.
2. Take notes on the provided research articles, which were part of that email.
3. Pull work from our shared files that seems to relate to this project as inspiration.
4. Meeting is on Thursday, so come prepared.

Can you see how jarring it is when the list suddenly changes from a list of actions to a statement? It also creates a grammatical problem. 

Let me explain. 

Grammatically, it’s necessary to start each bullet the same way — with a verb, ideally. In the above example, where each item is a sentence all its own, notice that the first bolded word of each point is a verb. This kind of construction is helpful for your reader, as it essentially creates a miniature “to-do” list for them as they read. They know, at a glance, they need to make time for reading, taking notes, pulling examples, and compiling ideas. 

What happens if your bullets aren’t parallel? Grammatical mayhem ensues! And this can be very confusing for you and your readers. 

A Few More Tips

Now you know the basics for creating a better bullet point list. You’ve learned to:

1. Identify the right kinds of information for a bulleted list.
2. Start with a comprehensive lead-in statement.
3. Keep every point in your list parallel.

Here are a few more best practices to help you hone your craft and write bulleted lists that do everything you need them to do. 

• Keep each point around the same length. If every other item is just three words, don’t include a 10-word item in the same list.
• Use straightforward, simplified language. Bullet points distill rather than describe. Save the lengthy stuff for paragraphs. Avoid jargon.
• Number items when order matters. If the ideas must be presented in a certain order, use numbers instead of circle or square bullet points.
• Punctuate bullets consistently. Capitalize the first letter, use a colon after the lead-in statement, and use or don’t use an ending period correctly.

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