10 Bulletproof Tips for Writing Killer Bullet Points

To make sure yours hit the mark every time, here’s a masterclass in bullet writing, featuring some wisdom from the literary greats.

1. Keep It Short & Snappy

• Think Hemingway, not Dickens. “The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.” – Thomas Jefferson
• Your bullet points should deliver one clear thought per line.
• If you need two commas, a semicolon, and an intermission, it’s not a bullet—it’s a paragraph.

💡 Pro Tip: Aim for 5-10 words per bullet, max.

2. Start Strong

• The first few words should grab attention—like the plot twist you never saw coming.
• “A good first impression can work wonders.” – J.K. Rowling
• Use power words like Boost, Avoid, Master, Unlock, Save, Crush—words that demand attention.

💡 Example:

• Weak: “There are many ways to improve clarity.”
• Strong: “Boost clarity with fewer words.”

3. Stay Parallel (No, Not Parked)

• Keep your structure consistent—if you start with a verb, stick with verbs.
• Bad: “Writing well, be clear, and don’t ramble.”
• Good: “Write well, stay clear, and avoid rambling.”

💡 Pro Tip: If you can swap your bullets around and they still make sense, your structure is solid.

4. Don’t Ramble – You’re Not Writing a Novel

• “If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter.” – Mark Twain
• Editing is your best friend—cut the fluff, keep the substance.
• If your bullet reads like a mini-essay, summarize it in a single breath.

5. Make Each Bullet Bite-Sized

• One idea per bullet—don’t cram five points into one.
• If you need to elaborate, break it into sub-bullets or a new section.

💡 Example:

• Messy: “Improve communication by using clear language, keeping emails short, ensuring clarity in tone, and being concise overall.”
• Better:
  • Use clear language.
  • Keep emails short.
  • Make your tone easy to understand.

6. Clarity Is King (or Queen)

• “Easy reading is damn hard writing.” – Nathaniel Hawthorne
• If someone has to reread your bullet, you’ve already lost them.
• Stick to simple, direct language—write like you talk.

💡 Pro Tip: Imagine explaining your point to a 12-year-old—would they get it?

7. Don’t Be a Robot – Inject Some Personality

• Just because it’s structured doesn’t mean it has to be dull.
• “No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.” – Robert Frost
• If your bullets bore you, they’ll bore your readers.

💡 Example:

• Dull: “Make sure your sentences are engaging.”
• Fun: “Write like you’re texting a friend—minus the emojis (unless it’s necessary 😉).”

8. Use Periods or Don’t – Just Be Consistent

• Either every bullet gets a period.
• Or none of them do
• See how that last one looked weird? Yeah, don’t do that.

💡 Rule of Thumb:

• Use periods if your bullets are full sentences.
• Skip them if they’re fragments or single words.

9. Know When Not to Use Bullets

• If every email, memo, or slide is all bullets, all the time, they lose impact.
• Use bullets to simplify, not to replace clear writing.
• When in doubt, mix in some regular sentences for flow.

10. End with a Mic Drop

• Your last bullet should leave an impression.
• “It is perfectly okay to write garbage—as long as you edit brilliantly.” – C.J. Cherryh
• Whether it’s a call to action, a joke, or a thought-provoking statement, make it memorable.

💡 Final Thought: Now go forth and bullet like a boss. 🚀