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.
> I'd like some feedback on formatting lists. When using bulleted lists,
> is there any standard for applying spacing between items? When I was
> doing work for IBM, I was told to use compact lists (i.e., no line
> spacing between items) if the items were one line long. If any of the
> items fit on more than one line, then put a line space between all
> items in the list.
> I have no idea what the rationale for this was, but that was the way we
> were told to format bulleted lists. I'm now preparing a style guide for
> my departmnet and need to establish some guidlines for list
> formatting. To keep things simple, I'm inclined to tell people not to
> use any line spacing between items in bulleted lists.
I share Keith's implied uneasiness about one rule for short items,
but another for long ones.
If the word-processor allows it, try setting up a 'style' that adds
an extra half-line spacing at the end of each paragraph and bullet
item (eg an extra 6 points on 12-pt type). That usually looks quite
pleasing for all purposes.
--
Ian White | IFW Technical Services, Abingdon, England
| Clear English for high-technology companies
ian -at- ifwtech -dot- demon -dot- co -dot- uk | Tel/fax (0 / +44) 1235 535981
