Accessibility

Lists

Bulleted lists

Using lists makes your information easier to understand and follow. They help break up text and create white space.

Start your list with a lead-in phrase or sentence to provide context, followed by a colon.

Consider writing the lead-in to avoid “and” or “or” before the final item. This lets the reader know right away what kind of list it is.

Keep lists short and simple, especially if they include points the reader needs to remember or use to make decisions.

Include between 3 to 5 items, and 3 is optimal. Use between 5 and 7 items only if the list items are very short, for example, a few words.

You can present the items in your list as phrases or as full sentences with a period at the end.

Make sure to:

  • use parallel construction and start each item in a list the same way, for example, with a verb or noun
  • use minimal punctuation and do not use any punctuation when possible
  • limit a list to one and no more than 2 levels

Example with phrases and no punctuation:

If the police stop you when you’re driving, you must give them:

  • your driver’s licence
  • ownership papers
  • insurance papers

Example with full sentences:

Here are some reasons to choose an option other than court:

  • You have more control over what happens.
  • It can be faster and cheaper.
  • It can be less upsetting and stressful.

Example to avoid “and” before final item:

You have the right to do all of the following:

  • make as many phone calls as you need to find a lawyer
  • talk to your lawyer in private before deciding to make a statement
  • have your lawyer with you when the police speak to you
  • call an adult you trust for support

Example with “or” before final item:

If an adult commits these crimes, they could:

  • be fined up to $5,000,
  • go to prison for up to 6 months, or
  • pay the fine and go to prison.

Example to avoid “or” before final item:

If an adult commits these crimes, one of the following could happen. They could:

  • be fined up to $5,000
  • go to prison for up to 6 months
  • pay the fine and go to prison

Numbered lists

Use a numbered list if you want to:

  • stress that there are a certain number of items or tasks that a reader must do
  • show that steps must be followed in a certain order

Example:
If you live together, Ontario Works will decide you are spouses if all 3 of the following are true:

  1. You have been living together for at least 3 months.
  2. One of you supports the other financially or the two of you support each other.
  3. You “live together as a couple”, not as two single people. This means that your relationship is like a marriage.
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