Lists
Order of lists
- Alphabetical order is preferred unless items need to be listed in a specific order for clarity or logical flow.
- When listing names, always order by surname, not given name.
Example (alphabetical order by surname):
- Kelly Karn
- Shane MacDonald
- Bryan Oliver
- Patricia Pickett
Example (chronological order for an event schedule):
- keynote address
- panel discussion
- networking break
- closing remarks
Numbered lists
Use numbered lists only for sequenced steps or instructions.
Example: To apply for the Ontario Student Assistance Program:
- Register online to create a password.
- Log in and submit your information.
- Check the website to see when your money will be available.
Bullet points
Do not use periods in bulleted lists when each item is three words or fewer.
Example: The Ridgebacks offer the following varsity sports:
- badminton
- basketball
- curling
- dance
- golf
- hockey
- rowing
- soccer
- women’s lacrosse
Use periods at the end of bulleted items that form complete sentences or stand alone as statements.
Example: Dr. Wendy Stanyon is an expert in:
- Enhancing mental health literacy.
- Facilitating mental health/illness awareness.
- Training and education on mental health issues in the community.
If a list contains a mix of short and longer items, do not use periods.
Example: Services include:
- Advising/referrals to other services on/off campus
- Indigenous Awareness Week
- Pathways assistance
- Recruitment and admissions assistance
- Running educational and cultural events on campus
Lists of hyperlinks
Do not use periods at the end of bullet points that are simply the names of linked documents, policies, or external resources.
Example: External weather-related resources:
- Durham Region Transit service alerts and detours
- Environment Canada weather forecasts for Ontario
- GO Transit service updates
If a bullet point is a question, retain the question mark, and if it is a full sentence that can stand alone, it should end with a period.
Example:
- What happens when there are operational changes due to an emergency?
- Review the university’s emergency closure procedures.
Reminder: Use meaningful, descriptive hyperlink text. Avoid vague phrases like click here or read more. Instead, ensure the link text describes the linked content.
