TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Re: Bulleted & Numbered Lists: Indented or Flush Left?
Subject:Re: Bulleted & Numbered Lists: Indented or Flush Left? From:Laurie Rubin <lmr -at- SYL -dot- NJ -dot- NEC -dot- COM> Date:Thu, 25 May 1995 13:23:46 -0400
The question is, readability -- do you want you readers to be able to
quickly and easily locate the info. in a bulleted or a numbered list?
If yes, indenting does just that. I vote for indent.
Laurie
> Techwhirlers,
> Our organization is debating a style guide issue, and we'd appreciate (1)
> word of how it's done in your office and (2) any leads to relevant
> usability studies. Here's the question--
> In creating bulleted lists, I indent the bullets to look something like:
> * Text follows a bullet, normally a filled circle
> A numbered list similarly begins:
> 1. Do this first.
> A couple of folks feel that bullets and list numbers should always be set
> flush left with body paragraph text.
> I'd appreciate your posting directly to me your experience, your
> standards, and research leads. I'll post a summary within a week.
> Thanks to all!
> Avon Murphy
> Legislative Service Center
> 2404 Chandler Court SW
> Olympia, WA 98502
> 360-786-7052
> amurphy -at- wln -dot- com