Bulleted lists are important in technical writing.
They summarize information in a manner that is easy to read and absorb.
Use them whenever you can to get your information across quickly.
Compare: "In winter months make sure to check your tires, have enough wood for the fireplace, make sure there is are extra blankets for the guests, and the pump water is shut off.
" With bullets: "Make sure to do the following to get ready for the winter: - Check your tires.
- Have enough wood for the fireplace.
- Keep extra blankets for the guests.
- Shut off the pump water.
" Another comparison: which list would you remember with less difficulty: This one: "A knowledge of mathematics, besides geometry, trigonometry and physics, is necessary for an civil engineer to know well.
" Or this? "A civil engineer should know his - mathematics - geometry - trigonometry - physics well.
" But when you are drawing up a bulleted list try to use "parallel construction"; that is, the bullet items should be similar grammatically.
They should have the same mood and tense.
If one starts with a verb, the others should also start with a verb.
Malformed bulleted list: "In my spare time, I love to - go to a restaurant - run 5K - books are what I prefer over movies" The first two items start with a verb, but the third doesn't.
Corrected list: "In my spare time, I love to - go to a restaurant - run 5K - read books rather than watch movies" As you can see, now all items start with a direct action verb.
It's now easier to remember this list.