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Should Bulleted Lists Be Capitalized?

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When a bulleted list separates three or more elements within a sentence, “capitalize and punctuate the list as if it were a complete sentence ” (American Psychological Association, 2010, p. 64).

How do you cite a list of bullet points?

In your text before the list, introduce the source with a signal phrase. Make the list single-spaced. If you change or add words, [do so in brackets]. Then include a citation after the last list item; if the list ends with a period, place your citation after that period.

Do you capitalize lists after colons?

Capitalization: First Word After a Colon

When a colon introduces a list of things, do not capitalize the first word after the colon unless it is a proper noun . ... When a colon introduces a complete sentence, you may capitalize the first word after the colon according to some style guides.

How do you end a semicolon in a list?

“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.

Should a list be capitalized?

Initial capitalization is preferred for list items that are complete sentences (Example B) or stand-alone phrases (Examples C and D). Preferred style is without terminal punctuation, unless the list item is a complete sentence. Numbered lists may appear with or without the period after the number.

How do you format a bulleted list?

When a bulleted list separates three or more elements within a sentence, “ begin each bulleted item with a lowercase letter” and either punctuate each item in the list as parts of a sentence (e.g., inserting commas), or exclude punctuation after each item (American Psychological Association [APA], 2020, pp. 190-191).

What is APA Format example?

APA in-text citation style uses the author’s last name and the year of publication , for example: (Field, 2005). For direct quotations, include the page number as well, for example: (Field, 2005, p. 14).

What is bulleted list Class 9?

A bulleted list or bullet list is a series of items preceded with symbols instead of numbers .

Should the first word after a semicolon be capitalized?

Do not capitalize the first word in a list after a semicolon unless the word is a proper noun , e.g., During Julie’s vacation, she visited many Canadian cities, including St. ... Capitalize an author’s name after a semicolon in a multi-author citation, e.g., (Brown & Lee, 2010; Johnson & Smith, 2009).

What are some examples of semicolons?

Examples of Semicolons: Joan likes eggs; Jennifer does not. The cat slept through the storm ; the dog cowered under the bed. Semicolons are also used in a sentence when something stronger than a comma is needed.

How do you use semicolons in a list?

Use a semicolon between items in a list or series if any of the items contain commas . There are basically two ways to write: with a pen or pencil, which is inexpensive and easily accessible; or by computer and printer, which is more expensive but quick and neat.

When should you use a semicolon instead of a comma?

Rule to Remember

Use a semicolon to replace a comma when you use a coordinating conjunction to link independent clauses that already contain commas . In this example, using a semicolon makes it easier to read the two independent clauses on either side of the coordinating conjunction: Correct: My dog is sick.

How do you end a list?

If your list items are complete sentences , then you can grammatically end them with a period as a stylistic choice. Never place commas or semicolons on the end of the items in a vertical list, and do not write “and” or “or” before the last list item.

Are colons used for lists?

To introduce a list. The problem is that not all lists need to be introduced by a colon. ... This means that no colon is needed and it would be incorrect to use one before the list. So if you have a list, remember you only use a colon before it if the list follows a clause that could be used on its own .

What is bulleted list?

Bulleted-list meaning. Filters . A list whose items start with the typographical symbol of bullet, that is • , or with other symbols other than numbers.

What is bullet point format?

Bullet points are used to draw attention to important information within a document so that a reader can identify the key issues and facts quickly. There are no fixed rules about how to use them, but here are some guidelines: ... The text introducing the list of bullet points should end with a colon. 2.

Edited and fact-checked by the FixAnswer editorial team.
Amira Khan

Amira writes about philosophy and religion, exploring ethical questions, spiritual practices, and the world's diverse belief systems.