bullet points

Presentation summary items

Bullet points are typographical markers—dots, dashes, or symbols—used to introduce items in a list.

They organize information vertically for quick scanning: The résumé listed her skills in bullet points.

The term also refers to the listed items themselves: Give me the bullet points from the meeting.

In presentations, bullet points structure key ideas, though overuse has made them a cliché of corporate communication.

formatting

markers

Pens with porous tips

dotsSmall circular marks
indentationInward cut or setback
unorderedNot in sequence

checkboxes · dashes · symbols · numbering · spacing · alignment · hierarchy · nesting · subpoints · typography

organization

outline

Summary of key elements

structureArrangement of interconnected parts
sequenceOrdered succession of elements
arrangementOrdered configuration or agreement

categorization · grouping · prioritization · breakdown · classification · ordering · hierarchy · sections · subheadings · agenda

clarity

conciseness

Quality of being brief

brevityShortness of expression
readabilityEase of understanding text
digestibilityEase of nutrient absorption

simplification · accessibility · comprehensibility · succinctness · crispness · directness · plainness · legibility · skimmable · uncluttered

summarization

highlights

Notable moments emphasized

takeawaysPrincipal points retained
overviewBroad general summary
gistCentral meaning distilled

main ideas · synopsis · condensation · distillation · essentials · summary · abridgment · quick reference · snapshot · briefing

emphasis

highlight

Most notable part

underscoreLow horizontal text mark
focusConcentrated attention point
prominenceNotable status or visibility

priority · salient · attention · importance · boldface · callout · standout · featured · accentuate · spotlight

presentation

slides

Moves smoothly across surface

PowerPointMicrosoft's presentation application
KeynoteApple slideshow software
visual aidImage supporting explanation

speaker notes · audience · projector · lecture · seminar · webinar · conference · infographic · handout · deck

Categories

document formattingmargins, headers, footers, headings, subheadings
word processingword processor, WordPerfect, text editor, Microsoft Word, copy
note-takingnotes, jot, notation, write down, note down
presentation techniqueseye contact, body language, gestures, pacing, pausing
presentationspresentation, slides, slide, keynote, slideshow
product infoname, brand, price, description, features

Opposites

text format/structure

bullet pointsnarrative prose

Storytelling in sentences

stream of consciousness · wall of text · footnotes · endnotes

communication style

bullet pointsnarrative

Account of events

exposition · in-depth analysis · storytelling · oratory · monologue

Family

bullet, points, bullets, bulletproof, bulleted, bulleting, bulletproofed, bulletproofing, bullet point

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G