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.
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
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.
Further guidance
Practical Application
Use a run-in list when the items are short and grammatically simple; move long, multi-sentence, or internally punctuated items to a vertical list. Apply separators according to the house style.
Reader Check
Can the reader scan the series without losing track of item boundaries or sentence grammar?
Worked Example
Bring three items: photo ID, proof of address, and the signed form.
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.
- 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