Parentheses Around Numbers or Letters for Short Enumerated Items in Text
Parentheses
Rulebase Summary
In running text, use parentheses to enclose numbers or letters for short enumerated items. The parentheses surround the enumeration marker — both the opening and closing parenthesis — to set it off clearly from the surrounding text.
Examples
A. There were three reasons: 1 mutual distrust; 2 bank discrepancies; 3 the product was failing.
A. There were three reasons: (1) mutual distrust; (2) bank discrepancies; (3) the product was failing.
Parentheses around enumerated numbers in running text.
A. The accident form required a time, b place, c date, and d names.
A. The accident form required (a) time, (b) place, (c) date, and (d) names.
Parentheses around enumerated letters.
Transcript Notes
This applies to short items embedded in a sentence. Longer enumerated items would typically be paragraphed and use different formatting.
Style Guide References (1)
Morson's