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> Another issue on which I would like your input is the use of hollow
bullet
> symbols in curriculum documentation. What do you think about the use
of
> hollow bullets and why?
In light of my silly Meatballs reply yesterday, I want to add something
a bit more intelligent today.
In my not-so-humble opinion, choosing hollow bullets or no periods after
a numbers in numbered lists is purely stylistic. There is no
cut-and-dried RIGHT way, though most people have their preferences (mine
are solid bullets and periods after the numbers).
Hollow bullets, overly large bullets, strange-looking bullets, and no
periods after numbers in lists might be seen as "artsy" or "modern,"
depending on who you ask. Solid bullets and periods or parens after
numbers in a list may look "traditional" or "old-fashioned." What you
need to do is to pick a look and feel for your documentation that suits
your corporate image and the needs of the piece. An artsy, modern look
probably wouldn't feel right for a conservative company, and an
old-fashioned, traditional look probably wouldn't feel right for a
marketing piece.
A serious question that you need to ask yourself about any style is if
it distracts or hampers your users to the point where they miss the
content. For example, giant numbers that zigzag back and forth probably
don't make the best numbered list (I saw this in a manual once) because
your users will spend too much time wondering what you were thinking
when you picked that style. The style should not overwhelm the content.
The work week is half over! Hooray! :-)
Donna
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