19.4: Bullet Statement Mechanics
- Page ID
- 180308
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Chapter 16 presented the initial discussion on bullet statement mechanics for the preparation of point papers, talking papers and bullet background papers. The bullets for most evaluations, appraisals, awards and decorations are built in the same way as discussed in chapter 16, but check for specific guidance for the form used by the evaluation, appraisal, award or decoration you are preparing. The guidance that follows reinforces the bullet statement drafting, polishing and formatting of previous discussions with the focus on evaluations, appraisals, awards and decorations. The following outline presents bullet statement mechanics as bullets to give you both written and visual guidance.
Bullet/text format and alignment
- Start main bullets with a single dash ( - )
- This is a secondary level bullet and it uses two dashes ( – )
- Text within a bullet wraps so that the first character of the second and any subsequent lines aligns directly under the first character, not the dash, of the line above
- Indent subordinate bullets so that the first dash of the subordinate bullet aligns directly under the first character, not the dash, of the parent bullet one level above
- This secondary bullet is subordinate to the "indent subordinate bullets" bullet
- This is a tertiary bullet and it uses three dashes ( \(-\cdots\) )
- This tertiary bullet is subordinate to "This secondary bullet" above
- This secondary bullet is subordinate to the "indent subordinate bullets" bullet
- If bullets are divided, there must be at least two subordinate bullets
- The cardinal rule of outlining (chapter 6) states that any topic (or bullet) that is divided must have at least two parts
- Though often violated, the cardinal rule applies to bullets
Punctuation
- Use internal punctuation as required for accomplishment-impact bullet statements
- Never use ending punctuation in accomplishment-impact bullet statements
Grammar
- Always start an accomplishment-impact bullet with action (action verb or modified verb)
- Never start an accomplishment-impact bullet with a proper noun or pronoun
- Minimize the use of the individual’s name in bullets when it is elsewhere on the document
- Avoid using personal pronouns (he, she, his, her, etc.) in accomplishment-impact bullet statements; these devices typically serve to form complete sentences