A list is a simple way to write a series of items. Each list has its own rules for what belongs on the list: A shopping list contains only items you want to buy. The writer and reader both save time by using a list rather than repeating words for each item, such as "I need to buy eggs. I need to buy milk. I need to buy bread. I need to buy porn." So a list is a formatting tool, nothing more. If your writing is funny, and it would be pointless to repeat the missing words, using a list is a good thing. If your writing is not funny, making it a list only makes that fact more glaring.