Cover not available

Article published In: Information Design Journal
Vol. 21:2 (2014) ► pp.146–162

Get fulltext from our e-platform
JBE logo with link
PDF logo with download linkDownload PDF
authorization required

How bulleted lists and enumerations in formatted paragraphs affect recall and evaluation of functional text

Published online: 3 November 2015
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/idj.21.2.06jan
The influence of the bulleted list format on recall and evaluation of functional text (i.e., health flyers, direct mail letters, and recipes) is investigated in five studies in which the same series of components, formatted as enumerations in a paragraph, function as the control condition. In three studies, the bulleted list format has a positive effect on the reader’s ability to recall the content of the items of the series. This positive effect is mitigated if the components are heterogeneous. In two studies, bulleted lists have a negative effect on the recall of content presented in the surrounding text. In another two studies, bulleted lists have a (positive) effect on the reader’s evaluation of the text.
References (22)
Braddy, P.W., Foster Thompson, L., Wuensch, K., & Grossnickle, W.F. (2003). Internet recruiting. The effect of web page design features. Social science computer review 21(3), 374–385. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Caspers, J. (1999). The meaning of melodic elements in Dutch. ICSA-Archives, [URL]
De Back, A. (1989). De vormgeving van opsommingen: - de adviezen, - het gebruik, - de oordelen [The format of enumerations: advise, use and evaluation] MA thesis Communication studies Leiden University.
Dubois, S. (1995). Structural processes in enumeration. Language variation and change 71, 113–137. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Dyson, M.C., & Gregory, J. (2002). Typographic cuing on screen. Visible language 36(3), 326–346.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Gabriel, Y. (2008). Against the Tyranny of PowerPoint: Technology-in-Use and Technology Abuse. Organization Studies 29(2), 255–276. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Gerritsen, W.P. (1994). De constructie van het geheugen [The construction of memory]. Faculty of Arts, Utrecht University.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Goering, E., Connor, U.M., Nagelhout, E., & Steinberg, R. (2011). Persuasion in fundraising letters: an interdisciplinary study. Nonprofit and voluntary sector quarterly 40(2), 228–246. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Goody, J. (1984). The domestication of the savage mind. Cambridge: Cambridge university press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Hartley, J. (2000). Typographic settings for structured abstracts. Journal of technical writing and communication 30(4), 355–365. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Karreman, J. & Loorbach, N. (2011). Paragraphs or lists? The effects of text structure on website. Professional Communication Conference 2007, IPCC 2007.
Lemarié, J., Lorch, R.F., Eyrolle, H., & Virbel, J. (2008). SARA: a text-based and reader-based theory of signaling. Educational psychologist 43(1), 27–48. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Lo-Dac, L-M, Fabre, C., Péry-Woodley, M-P, Rebeyrolle, J., & Tanguy, L. (2012). An empirical approach to the signaling of enumerative structures. Discours 101. [URL] Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Lorch, R.F. (1989). Text-signaling devices and their effects on reading and memory processes. Educational psychology review 1(3), 209–233. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Michielutte, R., Bahnson, J., Dignan, M.B., & Schroeder, E.M. (1992). The use of illustrations and narrative text style to improve readability of a health education brochure. Journal of Cancer Education 1(3), 251–260. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Mol, E. (2003). Experiment naar het effect van het gebruik van vette kernwoorden en opsommingen in webteksten op efficientie, begrip, onthoudbaarheid en waardering [Experiment on the effect of the use of bold faced words and enumerations in web texts on efficiency, comprehension, recall, and evaluation]. MA thesis, Tilburg University.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Morkes, J. & Nielsen, J. (1997). Concise, scannable, and objective: how to write for the web. [URL]
Morrow, D., Leirer, V. & Altieri, P. (1995) List formats improve medication instructions for older adults. Educational Gerontology 211, 151–166. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Morrow, D.G., Leirer, V.O., Andrassy, J.M., Hier, C.M., & Menard, W.E. (1998) The influence of list format and category headers on age differences in understanding medication instructions. Experimental ageing research 241, 231–256. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Schiffrin, D. (1994). Making a list. Discourse Processes 171, 377–406. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Verburg, V. (2007). Beter leren door puntsgewijze opsommingen? [Learning better by bulleted lists?] MA thesis, Tilburg University.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Wogalter, M.S., & Shaver, E.F. (2001). Evaluation of list vs paragraph text format on search time for warning symptoms in a product manual. A.C. Bittner, et al. (eds.) Advances in occupational ergonomics and safety. (434–438). Clifton (VA): IOS press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Cited by (7)

Cited by seven other publications

Dewies, Malte, Astrid Schop-Etman, Inge Merkelbach, Kirsten I. M. Rohde & Semiha Denktaş
2025. Call first, pay later: stimulating debtors to contact their creditors improves debt collection in the context of financial scarcity. Behavioural Public Policy 9:1 ► pp. 88 ff. DOI logo
Habib, Leila, Rachel Sadlon, Tiffany Wise, Kafui Doe, Lori Garibay & Olga Acosta Price
2025. School Nurses' Perspectives on the Implementation of a Behavioral Health Referral Process. The Journal of School Nursing 41:6 ► pp. 702 ff. DOI logo
Luo, Zeyuan, Lilei Wang & Hongbo Liu
2025. Influencer Marketing and Destination Visit Intention: The Interplay Between Influencer Type, Information Format, and Picture Color Hue. Journal of Travel Research DOI logo
Spinu, Roxana M. & Andreea Corbeanu
2024. Toward a Better Future for Assessment Reports. European Journal of Psychological Assessment 40:4 ► pp. 290 ff. DOI logo
Lonsdale, Maria dos Santos, Xiaoxiao Qin, Yun Chen, Heather Green, Maha Algethami & Jiawen Xu
2022. The power of information design in enhancing the organization of information and course material in an online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Information Design Journal 27:3 ► pp. 235 ff. DOI logo
Noland, Chris R. & Taylor Wen
2022. Listicles vs. Narratives: The Interplay between Mood, Message Type, and Disclosure on Native-Advertising Effectiveness. Journal of Current Issues & Research in Advertising 43:4 ► pp. 377 ff. DOI logo
Lim, Dongjae (Jay), Nathaniel Evans & Marilyn Primovic
2021. Exploring How Disclosure Works for Listicle-Style Native Advertising: The Role of Persuasion Knowledge, Persuasion Appropriateness, and Supplementary Disclosure Effect of Brand Social Media. Journal of Interactive Advertising 21:1 ► pp. 1 ff. DOI logo

This list is based on CrossRef data as of 11 december 2025. Please note that it may not be complete. Sources presented here have been supplied by the respective publishers. Any errors therein should be reported to them.

Mobile Menu Logo with link to supplementary files background Layer 1 prag Twitter_Logo_Blue