My thoughts: For a short list that is clearly understood within the paragraph, by all means, don't bullet it.
For a longer list, like the first para, third sentence, that is distractingly long for the paragraph, make it a bulleted list (unless steps that must be done in order, then make it numbered). If the items in the list need emphasis, make a bulleted or numbered list, don't run them into the paragraph. Be consistent in your treatment of similar lists in the same context and document (chapter, etc.). Pick or create a style guide (Chicago 15, et al.) and stick to it. Cheers. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Milan Davidovic Sent: Tuesday, January 02, 2007 2:59 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [TCP] listing to starboard NOTE: the subject line is partially a reference to this t-shirt: http://tinyurl.com/ya32lf) (NOTE: no comment on the writing I'm using in this question is implied or should be inferred. It's just the first example that I found.) How do you decide when to present a list in the form of a sentence, when to make a bulleted list, and when it doesn't matter. For example, have a look at this page: http://www.seanhower.com/whatIsTechComm.html First paragraph, third sentence: this looks to me like it's a list, but it's presented as a sentence. Meanwhile, below the second paragraph, is a bulleted list. If you have other examples to illustrate your thoughts, please share them. DISCLAIMER: Important Notice ************************************************* This e-mail may contain information that is confidential, privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not an intended recipient of this e-mail, do not duplicate or redistribute it by any means. Please delete it and any attachments and notify the sender that you have received it in error. Unintended recipients are prohibited from taking action on the basis of information in this e-mail.E-mail messages may contain computer viruses or other defects, may not be accurately replicated on other systems, or may be intercepted, deleted or interfered with without the knowledge of the sender or the intended recipient. If you are not comfortable with the risks associated with e-mail messages, you may decide not to use e-mail to communicate with IPC. IPC reserves the right, to the extent and under circumstances permitted by applicable law, to retain, monitor and intercept e-mail messages to and from its systems. ______________________________________________ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Are you a Help Authoring Trainer or Consultant? Let clients find you at www.HAT.Matrix.com, the searchable HAT database based on Char James-Tanny's HAT Comparison Matrix. Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] for details. _______________________________________________ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
