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20 Lists

Ordered and unordered lists are essential in business writing, offering a clear and structured way to present information. Ordered lists use numbers or letters to show sequence, hierarchy, or priority, making them ideal for step-by-step instructions, rankings, or processes. Unordered lists, on the other hand, use bullet points or another visual element to group related items without implying order or precedence, making them practical for summarizing key points, listing features, or organizing ideas. Both enhance readability, help emphasize critical information, and allow readers to scan and understand content quickly.

Ordered Lists

Information that is best read in a specific order should be presented as an ordered list. Numbered lists are best used for instructions and items that are ranked. For example:

Example of Ranked List: Horizon League Top 5 (Jan. 13, 2024)

  1. Green Bay Phoenix
  2. Cleveland State Vikings
  3. Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons
  4. Wright State Raiders
  5. Detroit Mercy Titans

Example of Instructions: How to Change a Car Tire

  1. Secure the Vehicle: Park your car on a flat, stable surface. Apply the parking brake and place wheel wedges under the opposite tires.
  2. Loosen the Lug Nuts: Using a lug wrench, turn the lug nuts counterclockwise about ¼ to ½ of a turn, but do not remove them completely yet.
  3. Lift the Vehicle: Place the jack under the vehicle frame near the tire that you are going to change. Raise the vehicle until the tire is about six inches off the ground.
  4. Remove and Replace the Tire: Remove the lug nuts completely and remove the tire. Mount the spare tire on the lug bolts, then put the lug nuts on and tighten them by hand as much as possible.
  5. Lower the Vehicle and Tighten Lug Nuts: Use the jack to lower the vehicle so that the tire touches the ground but doesn’t bear the full weight of the car. Tighten the lug nuts with the wrench, then lower the vehicle completely and remove the jack. Ensure the lug nuts are tightened fully.

Style choice: Notice how I bolded each point in the list above? This is so that the reader can more easily follow the instructions by scanning along the left-hand side of the list.

Unordered Lists

Unordered (or “bulleted”) lists are ideal for grouping related items where sequencing is not as important. Unordered lists are good for presenting a list of features or summarizing key points in a slide presentation. Notice in the example below that even though there is no explicit order, the items are listed in a way that makes sense. The backpack is listed first, as it may be assumed to hold the remainder of the items. Each item is also bolded in this example, followed by a short description.

Example of an Unordered List: Items to Bring for a Day Hike

  • Backpack: A comfortable, lightweight backpack to carry all your items.
  • Water: At least 2 liters per person to stay hydrated.
  • Snacks: Energy bars, trail mix, or fruit for sustenance.
  • Map and Compass/GPS: For navigation, especially in areas with limited cell service.
  • Sun Protection: Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to protect against sunburn.

Example of a Presentation Slide Containing an Unordered List

In this sample slide, an unordered list is used because the acronym AIDA provides the order.
Slide illustrating an unordered list
Slide from a presentation about the AIDA Method. Source Kris Purzycki.

License

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Professional Writing and Communications for Business Copyright © by Kris Purzycki is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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