When Text Gets Complex, Go Vertical

Complex text asks readers to hold too much in their heads at once. When you stack ideas horizontally, the meaning blurs and the reader slows down. Lists solve that. They give readers a clearer path through the information and make each part easier to understand.

Why It Matters for Product Teams

Lists give shape to information that would otherwise feel dense. They reduce scanning effort, make steps unmissable, and help product teams communicate requirements, decisions, and instructions with fewer misunderstandings. Clear lists create faster alignment internally and smoother comprehension for end users.

How to Apply It

Turn complex or multi part information into vertical lists. Lists give shape to information that would otherwise feel dense. They reduce scanning effort, make steps unmissable, and help product teams communicate requirements, decisions, and instructions with fewer misunderstandings. Clear lists create faster alignment internally and smoother comprehension for end users.

Examples

Not Effective: To set up the integration, install the plugin, enter your API key, verify your permissions, choose the data sources you want to sync, and then enable background processing so the system keeps updating automatically.

Not Effective: The export includes user details, activity logs, system metadata, and error events, but you can filter each category before downloading.

When information gets complex, go vertical. Lists make structure visible so readers understand faster.