A list is a catalog or roll consisting of a series of names, figures, words, or the like. Lists are frequently set in vertical format for the sake of clarity, as numbered, unnumbered, or bulleted lists. The choice among these alternatives should not be random; the author (and copy editor) should aim for logic and consistency throughout the text when choosing list styles.

Lists are generally set in the same typeface as the rest of the text but often one point smaller. They are usually set off from the surrounding text above and below by a line space.

Turn lines (lines following the first line of a given item) in a numbered or bulleted item usually align under the item's first word rather than under the number or bullet. Unnumbered lists often use hanging (flush-and-hang) indentation to make the items easier to scan.

Single-column lists are almost always aligned on an indentation, usually at least as large as that of the paragraph openings. Within a given text, single-column numbered, unnumbered, and bulleted lists should generally be indented the same amount.

One or two points of extra leading between list items (in addition to any leading between the turn lines in an individual item) is common.

Various symbols (, ▻, etc.) have traditionally been employed as bullets, but today the simple round black bullet (•) is almost universally used. The latter has in fact become very popular in recent years, perhaps because it is available in automatic list formats on desktop computers. Nevertheless, many readers continue to regard bulleted lists as somewhat undignified. Such readers may associate bullets with advertising, which is always striving to catch the reader's attention, and both in advertising and elsewhere bullets often highlight items that are already set off and do not truly require further emphasis. Thus, more serious books and journals rarely use bullets. Note that the prominence of bullets depends on their size, and it is best to specify their diameter in the design specifications when preparing a manuscript (e.g., "set 2-pt bullets").

Lists of short items generally employ double-column or multicolumn format. Such formats may be given their own separate spec. It will often be helpful to test a proposed multicolumn design by formatting one of the text's lists on a desktop computer.

Numbering

Both run-in and vertical lists are often numbered. In run-in numbered lists--that is, numbered lists that form part of a normal-looking sentence--each item is preceded by a number (or less often, an italicized letter) enclosed in parentheses. The items are separated by commas if they are brief and unpunctuated; if they are complex or punctuated, they are separated by semicolons. The entire list is introduced by a colon if it is preceded by a full clause, and often when it is not.

In vertical lists, each number ends with a period; the periods align vertically. Run-over lists usually align under the item's first word. Each item may be capitalized, especially if the items are syntactically independent of the words that introduce them.

The English peerage consists of five ranks, listed here in descending order:

1. Duke (duchess)
2. Marquess (marchioness)
3. Earl (countess)
4. Viscount (viscountess)
5. Baron (baroness)

The listed items end with periods (or question marks) when they are complete sentences, and also often when they are not.

We require answers to the following questions:

1. Does the club intend to engage heavy-metal bands to perform in the future?
2. Will any such bands be permitted to play past midnight on weekends?
3. Are there plans to install proper acoustic insulation?

Items that are syntactically dependent on the words that introduce them often begin with a lowercase letter and end with a comma or semicolon just as a run-in series in an ordinary sentence.