How Do You Format A List In An Essay?

1. Introduce the list with an independent clause or a sentence with a colon before the list. …
2. Set off a short list from the rest of a sentence with a dash, an informal punctuation mark that also often marks a sudden or dramatic change. …
3. Write an introductory sentence for steps in a sequence.

What is the correct punctuation for a list?

There are three punctuation marks involved in making a list in a sentence: the

comma, colon, and semicolon

. Which you use depends on how complex your list is. If you are writing a simple list, you can just insert a comma after each item.

How do you format a list in a paragraph?

If you are including a simple, relatively short list of three to five items within a paragraph —also known as a series—the proper formatting is to:

(a) precede the list with a comma

, (b) label each item with a lowercase letter enclosed in parentheses, and (c) separate each item with commas or semicolons.

How do you make a list in MLA format?

One way to write a list in MLA format is to keep it within your sentence.

Use a colon to introduce it

. If the items in your list include commas, use semicolons instead of commas to separate them. If you wish to number the items in a list within a sentence, use parentheses and omit the final “and.”

How do you structure a list in an essay?

1. Introduce the list with an independent clause or a sentence with a colon before the list. …
2. Set off a short list from the rest of a sentence with a dash, an informal punctuation mark that also often marks a sudden or dramatic change. …
3. Write an introductory sentence for steps in a sequence.

How do you list things in writing?

1. Use a colon to introduce the list items only if a complete sentence precedes the list. …
2. Use both opening and closing parentheses on the list item numbers or letters: (a) item, (b) item, etc.
3. Use either regular Arabic numbers or lowercase letters within the parentheses, but use them consistently.

What is APA Format example?

1. Type on standard-size (8.5-inch by 11-inch) paper.
2. Have a 1-inch margin on all sides.
3. Have a title page, a reference list, and a byline.
4. Use an easy-to-read font such as Calibri or Times New Roman.
5. Double-space the whole paper.
6. Align text to the left-hand side.

How do you punctuate a list of bullet points?

1. Use a period (full stop) after every bullet point that is a sentence (as these bullets do).
2. Use a period after every bullet point that completes the introductory stem.
3. Use no punctuation after bullets that are not sentences and do not complete the stem.

How do you use semicolons in a list?

Semicolons

can be used to link items in a list

, such as objects, locations, names and descriptions. Where the list items already contain commas, a semicolon helps avoid confusion between the items; in this way the semicolon acts like a ‘super comma'.

When writing a list do you use a colon or semicolon?

Semicolons separate items within a list, while

a colon precedes and introduces a list

.

Do you capitalize things in a list?

If your list item is a complete sentence, capitalize the first letter

. If your list item isn't a complete sentence, you can choose whether or not to capitalize the first letter—it's a style choice. The only thing that is important is to be consistent.

How do you write a vertical list?

Begin the first word in each item with a lower-cased letter. Use appropriate punctuation after each item to separate them from one another in the series. Use “and” (or, depending upon the logic of the list, “or”) after the next-to-last item. Use a period after the last item in the list.

What does MLA style look like?

What should an MLA paper look like? An MLA paper has a

standard look for every page including 1-inch margins

, a readable font, a running header

How do you list more than 3 things in a sentence?

An Oxford Comma

is a comma used before the last list item in a list of three or more items. When there are three or more list items, then those following “US convention” should use a comma (often called an Oxford Comma) with the conjunction (usually “and” or “or”).

How do you list things in a formal essay?

1. Introduce the list with an independent clause or a sentence with a colon before the list. …
2. Set off a short list from the rest of a sentence with a dash, an informal punctuation mark that also often marks a sudden or dramatic change. …
3. Write an introductory sentence for steps in a sequence.

How do you list things in academic writing?

Use lowercase for the text of

in-sentence lists items, except when regular capitalization rules require caps. Punctuate the in-sentence list items with commas if they are not complete sentences; with semicolons, if they are complete sentences. Use the same spacing for in-sentence lists as in regular non-list text.