[OrdinaryMorning]

Hey,

I'm currently writing out my CV and under my job history i've listed some of the skills/tasks etc that i've done within that job. However, i'm not sure whether you're supposed to end a bullet point with a full stop or not? I've seen mixed answers to this so i'm asking for your opinions.

[WiltshireWoman]

Originally Posted by OrdinaryMorning

Hey,

I'm currently writing out my CV and under my job history i've listed some of the skills/tasks etc that i've done within that job. However, i'm not sure whether you're supposed to end a bullet point with a full stop or not? I've seen mixed answers to this so i'm asking for your opinions.

This seems to explain it well and is from the Oxford Dictionaries website so fairly reliable:

http://oxforddictionaries.com/page/p.../bullet-points

[MrsWatermelon]

I would see what looks nicer and go with that.

Employers are not going to be that picky

[gkec]

It is more about what you say. But for bullet points keep it brief and to the point. That is not supposed to be a pun but if it helps you remember so much the better. I would end with a full stop. Using colons to introduce bullet points is probably unnecessary. I think the article is generally correct but you should follow it in "spirit" rather than have to be obeyed. In other words take on board what it says but make sure what you say sounds and looks good,
e.g.:

1. Does it sound good.
2. Is it easy to read.
3. Does it look good.
4. And finally is the punctuation correct.

You should notice that the first paragraph says essentially the same as the bullet points -- which is easier to read?

[*stargazer*]

You only use a full point after a bullet if it is a complete sentence. But the last bullet in a list is always followed by a full stop.

For example:

My skills include:
* Word
* Excel
* PowerPoint.

Or

My skills include:
* I have worked extensively with Microsoft Word.
* I can type at 40 words per minute.
* I can do shorthand at 100 words per minute.

[muffin789]

Originally Posted by *stargazer*

You only use a full point after a bullet if it is a complete sentence. But the last bullet in a list is always followed by a full stop.

For example:

My skills include:
* Word
* Excel
* PowerPoint.

Or

My skills include:
* I have worked extensively with Microsoft Word.
* I can type at 40 words per minute.
* I can do shorthand at 100 words per minute.

This.

[grumpyscot]

I would have thought that the correct use would be a comma with a full stop only at the end of the last item, since the list is in effect a whole sentence.

i.e.
* I went outside,
* I fed the dog,
* I Murdered my neighbour.

[Smokeychan1]

Originally Posted by *stargazer*

You only use a full point after a bullet if it is a complete sentence. But the last bullet in a list is always followed by a full stop.

For example:

My skills include:
* Word
* Excel
* PowerPoint.

Or

My skills include:
* I have worked extensively with Microsoft Word.
* I can type at 40 words per minute.
* I can do shorthand at 100 words per minute.

In the second example, I personally wouldn't use then for sentences that short, and the top example, where only the last bp has a full stop? No, no, no. It looks awful, inconsistent and sloppy.

[c4rv]

Originally Posted by grumpyscot

I would have thought that the correct use would be a comma with a full stop only at the end of the last item, since the list is in effect a whole sentence.

i.e.
* I went outside,
* I fed the dog,
* I Murdered my neighbour.

I wouldn't do this, bullet points are not a normal paragraph. I would go with the suggestion that if each item is one or two words then no full stop. if its a sentence then yes.

[Inkblot]

Originally Posted by gkec

1. Does it sound good.
2. Is it easy to read.
3. Does it look good.
4. And finally is the punctuation correct.

1. Do you normally end a question with a full stop.
2. Perhaps a question mark is better?
3. Seriously, though, I don't think anyone would regard it as correct to use full stops in a list of bullet points

[*stargazer*]

Originally Posted by Smokeychan1

In the second example, I personally wouldn't use then for sentences that short, and the top example, where only the last bp has a full stop? No, no, no. It looks awful, inconsistent and sloppy.

The OP asked what was correct, not what was aesthetically pleasing.

[daznov11]

My English teacher taught me if the bullet point had a verb, use a full stop - if not, don't. Though she did mention that the final bullet point had to to have a full stop.

[oxfordruse]

Originally Posted by *stargazer*

The OP asked what was correct, not what was aesthetically pleasing.

I agree with Smokeychan1; having a full stop at the end of the last bullet looks messy. It isn't a question of what's correct, since there are plainly differing opinions on it; it's a question of style.

I've always gone by the same rules as that outlined in WiltshireWoman's link. As it says even there, "there are no fixed rules". But those guidelines provide for the most professional presentation, in my opinion. They're also used by government departments in their communication and style guidance.

[TheBigM]

The most important thing is to be consistent. Either use it on all or on none.

I grappled with this a lot in my last job. I came to the conclusion of not using them. It looked nicer without. But if I had whole paragraphs on a bullet, I used them to separate the sentences within a paragraph but no full stop at the end of each bullet

[*stargazer*]

Originally Posted by oxfordruse

I agree with Smokeychan1; having a full stop at the end of the last bullet looks messy. It isn't a question of what's correct, since there are plainly differing opinions on it; it's a question of style.

I've always gone by the same rules as that outlined in WiltshireWoman's link. As it says even there, "there are no fixed rules". But those guidelines provide for the most professional presentation, in my opinion. They're also used by government departments in their communication and style guidance.

There are fixed rules. If you choose not to follow them that is fine. But the OP asked the question and I responded.

[oxfordruse]

Originally Posted by *stargazer*

There are fixed rules. If you choose not to follow them that is fine. But the OP asked the question and I responded.

Lol, okey dokey. Where's this rulebook, then?

[Smokeychan1]

Originally Posted by *stargazer*

The OP asked what was correct, not what was aesthetically pleasing.

The OP says they had received varying answers before posting; s/he wanted our opinions. Obviously, the fact that they already received conflicting answers is proof enough (for me) that hard and fast rules don't apply, as previously mentioned. But I will add that, if bullet pointing isn't done in an aesthetically pleasing way, then it rather defeats the purpose of the exercise.

I wasn't having a go at you personally, just sharing my opinion as asked for.

[Little Nell]

Originally Posted by *stargazer*

You only use a full point after a bullet if it is a complete sentence. But the last bullet in a list is always followed by a full stop.

For example:

My skills include:
* Word
* Excel
* PowerPoint.

Or

My skills include:
* I have worked extensively with Microsoft Word.
* I can type at 40 words per minute.
* I can do shorthand at 100 words per minute.

But the second version isn't gramatically correct. The problem is 'My skills include: ....I have worked extensively with....'

It could be reworded -
My skills include: working extensively with Microsoft Word etc.

I much prefer the first version.

Sorry if I'vve gone off topic!

[misschippy]

Hmmm, I always thought it was:

* the first line;
* second; and
* last.

You learn something new every day

[IslandNiles]

Originally Posted by Little Nell

But the second version isn't gramatically correct. The problem is 'My skills include: ....I have worked extensively with....'

It could be reworded -
My skills include: working extensively with Microsoft Word etc.

I much prefer the first version.

Sorry if I'vve gone off topic!

Agreed. The bullet points should each be a continuation of the sentence that was started at the top. You can get round it though, by re-wording the opening sentence. Something like: "My skills include the following:" Then each bullet point will form a complete sentence.

Originally Posted by misschippy

Hmmm, I always thought it was:

* the first line;
* second; and
* last.

You learn something new every day

Again, I agree. I think it really should read as follows:

My skills include:
- working extensively with Microsoft Word;
- typing at 40 words per minute; and
- taking shorthand at 100 words per minute.

However, I think the most important thing is consistency. If you prefer to use a full stop after the bullet points, do it after all of them. If you want to omit them, don't use them at all.

[alfster]

People will be scanning the CV and hence you just want it too look 'right'.

In the examples above I would not put the full stop after 'Powerpoint' as it looks out of place.

I would not use semi-colons or 'and's just full stops after full sentences (I do use a lot of semi-colons but avoid in bullet points in CVs...other places I do.

Although not totally correct it looks better and as I am a bit of a grammar Nazi I know it's not totally correct but CVs have a different grammar anyway which isn't always correct English.

Also, if it's going to HR people they'll probably not know the difference anyway...and anyone who does will not mind...and if they do...I would not want to work with them!

[ff999]

I have a editorial job, and the 'rule' we all have to use is;
*If the whole line of text makes a sentence that can stand alone, it should start with a capital letter and finish with a full stop.
*If the bullets are for a list that would not be stand alone sentences, then start with a lower case, and no full stop.

So when I go shopping tomorrow, I have on my list;
*bananas
*oranges
*cleaning equipment

Edit: I broke my own rule!

[Mumof3]

I don't tend to use full stops in conjunction with bullet points, and certainly never in presentations.

The bullet point format is intended to strip away superfluous content, so there should be no need to add in redundant punctuation.