Writing Mixtape - Bullets Versus Numbered Lists

Do you know when to use bullets versus numbered lists?

  • Use numbers when your items need to appear in sequential order. Instructions and recipes need numbers. If there is no order, then use bullets.

  • Use numbers if you are ranking items (like the Top 5 of something).

  • Use number if they mean something (like you’re listing the tracks of songs).

  • For either type of list, use a period at the end if the item is a complete sentence. If it is a sentence fragment, capitalize the first word, but do not end it with a period. Also, don’t mix sentences and fragments. Be consistent.