My thoughts: I wasn't bothered by the different treatments. In general, I would agree with Sean Brierly. In this case, I would see the first list as sort of a superficial summary of something. The second list (bulleted) maybe draws more attention to itself because of the way it is presented. I didn't go back and count the number of items in each list, but perhaps the first one might not be considered distractingly long.
Like I said, just my thoughts. Tom Johnson -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Brierley, Sean Sent: Tuesday, January 02, 2007 4:30 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [TCP] listing to starboard 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. ______________________________________________ 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
