Colons with Lists
Rule 1: Use the colon after a complete sentence to introduce a list of items when introductory words such as namely, for example, or that is do not appear.
Examples:
You may be required to bring many items: sleeping bags, pans, and warm clothing.
I want the following items: butter, sugar, and flour.
I want an assistant who can do the following: (1) input data, (2) write reports, and (3) complete tax forms.
Rule 2: A colon should not precede a list unless it follows a complete sentence.
Examples:
To be successful in sales, one should do the following: (a) dress appropriately, (b) ask customers about their needs, and (c) follow through.
To be successful in sales, one should (a) dress appropriately, (b) ask customers about their needs, and (c) follow through.
Rule 3: With tabular format, a colon always precedes a list.
Examples:
To be successful in sales, one should do the following:
(a) dress appropriately
(b) ask customers about their needs
(c) follow through
To be successful in sales, one should:
(a) dress appropriately
(b) ask customers about their needs
(c) follow through
Note:
Capitalization and punctuation are optional when using single words or phrases in bulleted form. If each bullet or numbered point is a complete sentence, capitalize the first word and end each sentence with proper ending punctuation. The rule of thumb is to be consistent.
Examples:
To be successful in sales, one should:
(a) dress appropriately,
(b) ask customers about their needs,
(c) follow through.
To be successful in sales, one should:
(a) Dress appropriately,
(b) Ask customers about their needs,
(c) Follow through.
Note: You may use and before the last phrase.
To be successful in sales, one should:
(a) dress appropriately,
(b) ask customers about their needs,
(c) and follow through.
For our meeting on Tuesday, please:
(a) E-mail the agenda to me by Monday afternoon.
(b) Call me 15 minutes before the meeting is set to begin.
(c) Distribute the notes to all the board members after the meeting.
Note: With lists, you may use periods after numbers and letters instead of parentheses.
For our meeting on Tuesday, please:
a. E-mail the agenda to me by Monday afternoon.
b. Call me 15 minutes before the meeting is set to begin.
c. Distribute the notes to all the board members after the meeting.
Quiz
1. The following are required (a) wet suits, (b) fins, (c) snorkels.
2. Please bring (a) wet suits, (b) fins, and (c) snorkels.
Answers
1. The following are required: (a) wet suits, (b) fins, (c) snorkels.
2. Please bring (a) wet suits, (b) fins, and (c) snorkels. (CORRECT)
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How to Write Good
If you see what is incorrect in the above heading, you will appreciate these two “rules”:
1. Eschew ampersands & abbreviations, etc.
2. Parenthetical remarks (however relevant) are unnecessary.
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