Use Numbered Lists and Bulleted Lists Correctly
Numbers and bullets cannot be used interchangeably. Each is best suited to presenting particular types of information.
When to Use a Numbered List
Numbered lists work very well for explaining sequences and steps, giving directions, or when the specific number of items is significant. Try to keep numbered lists to no more than three levels.
Numbered List Example #1
The following list shows the five-step approach to mapping pain points and opportunities.
- Gather Direct Feedback: Pull insights from surveys, interviews, usability testing, social media, and observation.
- Overlay Data on the Journey Map: Mark each stage with customer emotions and friction points.
- Look for Patterns: Are multiple pain points clustered in one stage? Do certain personas experience unique frustrations?
- Brainstorm Opportunities: For each pain point, ask:
- Can it be eliminated?
- Can it be reduced?
- Can it be redesigned into a positive?
- Prioritize: Use criteria like impact vs. feasibility to decide which opportunities to act on first.
Numbered List Example #2
Politeness theory suggests that there are three interpersonal factors that influence levels of politeness individuals can show towards one another. The three factors are power distance, social distance, and rank.
- Power distance refers to the difference in authority or status between the communicators.
- Social distance refers to how well communicators know each other and the nature of that relationship.
- Rank refers to the level of imposition the request puts upon the recipient.
When to Use a Bulleted List
Bulleted lists work well for content that can be conveyed very concisely but doesn’t need to be in a particular order. Often, using bullets is a great way to add visual dynamism or highlight short, focused pieces of information.
Bulleted List Example #1
Below is a list of terms that will be introduced in this chapter.
- Abolishing operation: a change to the environment that diminishes the power of a reinforcer.
- Backup reinforcer: exchanging an item for something else that is also reinforcing.
- Conditioned reinforcer: also known as a secondary reinforcer.
- Establishing operation: a change to the environment that makes a reinforcer gain strength.
- Motivating operations: ways in which the environment can be altered to make a reinforcer have more or less strength.
Bulleted List Example #2
In health care, cross-cultural communications can be difficult to navigate due to the following issues:
- Family dynamics: Helping patients make autonomous, informed decisions can be difficult as in many cultures patients are expected to discuss their health with their immediate and extended family members.
- Delivery of negative news: In certain cultures, it’s a common practice to withhold negative news from patients. This differs from western cultures, which emphasize autonomy and truth.
- Language barriers: Patients from different backgrounds might not understand the language or social dynamics, know how to navigate the health care system, or have basic health literacy to help them make informed decisions.
Important Reminders
- Always remember that if content is a list, this means it is not a table and should not be formatted as a table.
- Please do not blend numbers and bullets in a single list. Mixed lists don’t clarify organization or meaning and can be disorienting for screen readers and readers generally.
- Anything in list form should be concise – ideally no more than a sentence or two. If more explanation is needed, it is best to use an appropriate subheading.
- Be aware that excessive use of any kind of list, bullet points or numbered, is increasingly associated with content that was generated using AI. This association can undermine the reader’s perception of the quality and rigor of the content. Only use lists when they clarify information and support understanding.
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