Enumeration question

[Beth Agnew]

No specific research to back this up, but it's been a standard to have 
in-line numerals with text (regardless of indentation) that have a 
period after the number. If you are using graphic treatment on the 
numbers, a different font, etc., then there is enough of a visual 
boundary between the number and the text so the period is not needed. I 
don't think just an indent is enough to create the boundary unless it is 
expected by the reader. Anecdotally, when I look at the list without the 
periods I just think something is missing. I may not know what, but I 
get a feeling of it being incomplete. That could be a generational thing 
as well. Check with a few 20-year-olds. :-)

Downstyle and open punctuation styles tend to drop "unnecessary" 
punctuation, so if your institution is going modern (what a thought!) 
that might be the preference.

Dubin, David wrote:
> Does anyone have any research or can point me to any research that would indicate if using a
> period with the enumerative symbol is better (or worse) than not using a
> period?
> 1.   Do this.                1   Do this.
> 2.   Do this next.           2   Do this next.
> 3.   Do this last            3   Do this last
-- 
Beth Agnew
Catch the Buzz: http://bethbuzz.blogspot.com
STC Presentation archived at:
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Professor, Technical Communication
Seneca College of Applied Arts & Technology
Toronto, ON 416.491.5050 x3133
http://www.tinyurl.com/83u5u