diff --git a/source/basic.tex b/source/basic.tex
index a1b8f00cb2..80ff2d5326 100644
--- a/source/basic.tex
+++ b/source/basic.tex
@@ -113,8 +113,12 @@
 \pnum
 A \defn{variable} is introduced by the
 declaration of
-a reference other than a non-static data member or of
+\begin{itemize}
+\item
+a reference other than a non-static data member or
+\item
 an object.
+\end{itemize}
 
 \pnum
 An \defn{entity} is a