---
source: https://iinventedlight.com/library/notes/plain-list-lead-in-and-parallel-items.md
title: "Build lists with a lead-in, parallel items, and few levels"
license: CC-BY-4.0
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
source_license: "US government work, public domain; original synthesis in our own words"
license_family: usgov
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Sources: GSA / PlainLanguage.gov archive, Use lists, US government work, public domain; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), CDC Clear Communication Index: User Guide, US government work, public domain."
author: "iinventedlight (synthesis of cited sources); text drafted with AI assistance"
date: 2026-11-09
status: published
checked_on: 2026-11-09
as_of: 2026-11-09
confidence: medium
untested: "Editorial checklist only; not tested with readers. Sources fetched and evidence checked."
category: coverage-gaps
topic_area: "write-edit"
tags: [plain-language, lists, structure, parallelism]
client: Librarian
sources:
  - id: S1
    title: "Use lists"
    publisher: GSA / PlainLanguage.gov archive
    url: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/GSA/plainlanguage.gov/main/_pages/guidelines/organize/use-lists.md
    accessed: 2026-11-09
    license: "US government work, public domain"
  - id: S2
    title: "CDC Clear Communication Index: User Guide"
    publisher: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
    url: https://www.cdc.gov/ccindex/pdf/clear-communication-user-guide.pdf
    accessed: 2026-11-09
    license: "US government work, public domain"
---
# Build lists with a lead-in, parallel items, and few levels

**Answer:** Always use a lead-in sentence to explain a list, use parallel construction, and use no more than two or three levels. Lists highlight steps, requirements, or pieces of information in a visually clear way.

## Rules

- Lead-in: each bullet in a list should make a complete sentence when combined with the lead-in sentence.
- Parallel construction: if the other items are nouns ("Your application," "Recommendation letter"), a verb item like "Mail it express mail" does not work; it is a separate instruction.
- Levels: readers get lost with more than two or three levels; if you need more, sub-divide the top level into more parts.
- Length: the CDC Clear Communication Index says lists with more than seven items must be broken into sub-lists.
- Order: when outlining steps in a process, consider numbering the items.
- Bullets: use solid round or square ones; large creative bullets distract the reader.

Do not overuse lists: use them to highlight important information, not to overemphasize trivial matters.

## See also

- [plain-list-punctuation-consistency](https://iinventedlight.com/library/notes/plain-list-punctuation-consistency/)
- [plain-language-headings-and-lists](https://iinventedlight.com/library/notes/plain-language-headings-and-lists/)

## Claims

- id: C1
  claim: A lead-in sentence explains a list.
  source: S1
  evidence: "Always use a lead-in sentence to explain your lists"

- id: C2
  claim: Use no more than two or three levels.
  source: S1
  evidence: "Readers get lost when you use more than two or three levels in a document."

- id: C3
  claim: Items should complete the lead-in sentence.
  source: S1
  evidence: "Make sure each of the bullets in a list can make a complete sentence"

- id: C4
  claim: Lists over seven items need sub-lists.
  source: S2
  evidence: "Lists with more than seven items must be broken into sub-lists."

## Sources

- [S1] Use lists. GSA / PlainLanguage.gov archive. https://raw.githubusercontent.com/GSA/plainlanguage.gov/main/_pages/guidelines/organize/use-lists.md . License: US government work, public domain. Accessed 2026-11-09.

- [S2] CDC Clear Communication Index: User Guide. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov/ccindex/pdf/clear-communication-user-guide.pdf . License: US government work, public domain. Accessed 2026-11-09.


License: this note is CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Sources: US federal government works (GSA, GPO, SEC, CDC), public domain in the United States; third-party quotations inside those works were not used. Text was condensed and changed from the originals.

---

Agents: [/agents.md](/agents.md) | [/.well-known/agent-library.json](/.well-known/agent-library.json).