Writing & StyleStyle guide

Run-in Lists

A run-in list stays within normal paragraph text rather than being displayed vertically. The AIFS house style recommends run-in treatment for short/simple lists and uses commas or semicolons according to item complexity; longer material is easier to scan as a vertical list.

Quick answer

Use a run-in list for short, simple series; move longer or more complicated material to a vertical list. Separator details depend on house style.

Key details

Core Issuechoosing inline paragraph lists versus displayed vertical lists
Phrase Rolelist formatting and information structure
Registerprofessional and technical writing

Important caveats

Length Boundary

Short/simple series can work in running text; longer or more complex items are usually clearer as vertical lists.

Separator Boundary

Commas suit simple items; semicolons can separate items that contain internal commas, subject to house style.

Sources and evidence

Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.

  1. AIFS Style Guide — Lists (opens in a new tab)Australian Institute of Family Studies · Institutional house-style guidance for run-in, bulleted and numbered lists

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