Writing tip: Use 1, 2, 3 for first, second, third

When writing a list, how do you decide whether to use dot points or numbers?

Use dots for equal lots. A short shopping list is the kind of list that is suitable for dots.

Dot points are perfect when:

• items in the list are equally important, and
• the sequence of items is irrelevant.

Use a numbered list (1, 2, 3...) only for items that you think of as first, second, third...

The first item might be first in various senses, for example:

• Importance (e.g. first in a competition), or
• Sequence (e.g. the first step in a procedure), or
• Time (e.g. the event that happened first).

Example of a numbered list: How to boil an egg.

1. Place eggs in a heavy-bottomed saucepan and cover them with cold water.
2. Cover the eggs with at least an inch of water.
3. Bring the water to a full boil and boil for 8 minutes.
4. Remove the boiled eggs from the water and transfer them to a bowl of cold water for 15 minutes.
5. Then either peel and serve the eggs, or refrigerate them.

Plenty more tips like this one in the Contented Painless Grammar course!