Punctuating Vertical Lists

The punctuation of vertical lists depends on the formatting of your list.  Vertical lists are typically introduced by a sentence that is grammatically accurate and complete. 

In this article, we explain how different vertical lists can be properly punctuated, and provide several examples of properly punctuated vertical lists. 

What is a vertical list? 

A vertical list refers to a series of items formatted in vertical format. They are used for a variety of reasons. They help break the monotony of large paragraphs on a page. This is especially valuable in business writing, where the target audience is often seen as having a short attention span.

However, in academic writing, vertical lists can help highlight important elements in your research. For example, you may list your aims and objectives as a vertical list. 

How to punctuate vertical lists

The punctuation of vertical lists depends on the type of vertical list. Vertical lists can be either 1. Ordered lists and 2. Unordered lists. Ordered lists are formatted by being numbered or lettered. 

Unordered lists, on the other hand, are formatted with bullet points.

Example of an ordered vertical list:

"Here is a list of the sections missing in the manuscript:

1. Observation

2. Hypothesis

3. Experiment

4. Analysis

5. Conclusion"

   
   

Example of an unordered vertical list:

"There are several advantages to an internship:

• experience

• Networking

• making friends

• building up your resume"

  
  

These are just the two basic ways of formatting a vertical list. However, vertical lists can also be punctuated as a single sentence. 

How to punctuate a vertical list as a sentence

To punctuate a vertical list as a sentence, you should follow the same rules as non-vertical sentences. Only use a colon if the sentence has “as follows” or similar phrases, otherwise no punctuation should be used. 

Example of a vertical list punctuated as a sentence with a colon: 

Below is an example of a vertical list punctuated as a sentence with a colon:

"Conventional statistical courses are unable to equip college students with the skills necessary in management roles at the beginning of their careers for the following reasons: 

1. examples in statistical courses are over-simplified to ease the burden of ‎teaching within a limited timeframe; 

2. students lack the advantage of handling real data without learning how to practice the basics at first; 

3. solving real-world ‎issues using real data has not been the core objective of undergraduate statistical ‎courses."

Example of a vertical list punctuated as a sentence without a colon: 

Below is an example of a vertical list punctuated as a sentence without a colon:

"Conventional statistical courses are unable to equip college students with the skills necessary in management roles at the beginning of their careers because

1. examples in statistical courses are over-simplified to ease the burden of ‎teaching within a limited timeframe; 

2. students lack the advantage of handling real data without learning how to practice the basics at first; 

3. solving real-world ‎issues using real data has not been the core objective of undergraduate statistical ‎courses."

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EminentEdit provides quality proofreading and editing services that examine and correct all punctuation marks in your essay. 

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Cite this EminentEdit article

Antoine, M. (2024, December 14). Punctuating Vertical Lists. EminentEdit.  https://www.eminentediting.com/post/punctuating-vertical-lists