Lesson 3 - Arrangement Flashcards
Arrangement
pg 1
the distribution of the black strokes on the white background - how much SPACE is lift by the writing. When viewed within the whole context spaces, gaps, and strokes provide a wealth of information
- When there is an imbalance anywhere in the use of space that means that there is conflict w/in the writer and is viewed at lack of rhythm
- Rhythmical writing should contain consistency of movememnt and arrangement - irregular baseline alignment = disturbed impulses
Paper size
Pg 1
If the writing space is small movement will be limited. It is good to have two pages of average size paper that is unlined to see how the writer sees self in terms of their environment
First stage of handwriting analysis
Pg 1-2
This is a representation of the writer’s environment and daily life so get a ‘feel’ for the writing - AKA the first impression. You can put the writing sample in a frame to help get a feel for the layout and get a sense of proportion, symmetry, and rhythm (which is an integral part of arrangement)
- turn the page to look at it from different angles
- decide if the writing is centered
- decide if the left margin is wider
- are the margins straight or wavy
- is there a lot of white paper showing or does the writing fill the page
- does it look untidy or cramped
Margins
Pg 3 & 4
can act as an invisible border demarcating the amount of space the writer perceives he occupies in real life. How the writing is laid out shows how the writer plans/organizes their daily affairs
There are four possible margins - top, left, right and bottom
These provide insight into writer’s sense of security, whether they are willing to undertake risks, and disclose whether they follow rules
Balanced white spaces (margins)
Pg 3
indicates someone who has an innate need for order, harmony and balance in life; likes to carry out activities according to plan, will find disruptions very difficult to handle; has plenty of self assurance as a result of being orderly and well organized
Very wide margins all around
Pg 3
socially isolated and needs buffers to protect self from threatening environment
Crowded with writing
Pg 3
writer tends to be miserly
Imbalance in the use of space
Pg 3
writer is caught up in inner conflict
Top margin general
Pg 4
Should be around 1” or 2.5 cm (slightly less on smaller than average paper)
Reflects attitudes towards authority - demonstrates the degree of respect the writer has for others (especially whom they are corresponding with). In the west a large top margin represented respect
Top margin wide
Pg 4
writer is modest and appreciates formality and showing respect to the person being addressed
Top margin narrow
Pg 4
Narrower than 1” (2.5 cm)
writer has ease in communicating but has little respect for the authority of others; they are direct and go straight for what they want, when they want it; planner more than a doer
Top margin missing
Pg 4
writer is spontaneous and more direct in dealing with others
Left margin general info
Pg 4-5
Should be about 1” and should stay generally the same all the way down the page (excluding indents for paragraphs)
Most revealing of all the four margins because it demonstrates:
- the amount of willingness the writer has to stretch out to meet others and make contact with the environment
- reflects how much control is exerted over the writer’s behavior
- reveals whether the writer moves spontaneously to meet others or moves cautiously/timidly away from comfort zone
- related to the past and shoes the security needs of the writer as well as their attitudes of the past (cling or decisively move away)
- if the face the writer shows the world is the left margin then the width of the margin is the implied distance between the writer and others
Left margin narrow
Pg 5
- writer has great need for security and familiar
- reluctant to meet future w/ it’s uncertainties
- wants to have a foothold in the past where the pleasant feelings of security prevails
- lacks independence
Left margin balanced
pg 5
26-30mm
- fairly ambivalent regarding the past and the future
- willing to move forward while still needing to keep hold of certain aspects of the past
- with a degree of self control the writer does not get involved on impulse
Left margin very broad
Pg 5
41-50mm
- non-conformist
- outgoing and welcomes opportunities to meet others
- future oriented, does not dwell/worry on past
- willing to try out new ideas/ways of doing things
Left margin broadens
Pg 5
Happens towards the bottom of the page
- initially cautious person, but the more involved in relationship/project/situation the more their enthusiasm/spontaneity/impatient grows as well as their desire to get things done
- symbolizes an OPTIMISTIC attitude
Left margin narrows
Pg 5
Happens towards bottom of page
- begins new situations with a degree of enthusiasm/resolve, but more involved = doubts, they lose enthusiasm/confidence and look for ways to return to the safety of the past
- likely needs reassurance to keep going since the natural inclination is to return to the past
- if a situation feels intolerable they may give up completly
Left margin completely straight
Pg 5
- inordinate amount of self control
- Likely to be a perfectionist, rigid, and obsessive about certain things
Left margin irregular
Pg 5-6
- not rigid and precise
- moody and unpredictable
- wavers between anxiety and depression vs enthusiastic involvement
- suggests lack of emotional stability and insecurity
- faces an inner struggle which will affect concentration ability
Left margin convex: )
Pg 6
- starts off cautiously-becomes confident/enthusiastic/spontaneous-then begins to have second thoughts
- 2nd thoughts are about about ability and suffers a crisis of confidence (depending on where the margin recedes to the left)
- may stop or carry on, but likely to have some inner tension
Left margin concave: (
Pg 6
-starts confident/enthusiastic-doubt/insecurities & applies breaks-re-examine situation and regains initial enthusiasm to continue as before
Right Margin General info
Pg 6
Right is normally about the same width as left or slighly less. Right is more difficult to control due to word lengths
Right represents a stopping place and reflects attitude about goals/ambitions/future/how ready to return to the past
A certain amount of veriability is normal and positive due to variable word lengths
Left and right need to be considered with regard to each other:
- similar = balanced and stable personality therefore good organizational ability
- dissimilar = precedence given to whichever margin is the narrower one
Right margin irregular
Pg 6
poor planner because unsure about how they feel towards other people and the future
Right margin very narrow
Pg 6
0-5mm
- quickly gets involved in relationships/tasks does not want to postpone or interruptions
- evidence of speed = likely to throw caution to the wind and not forsee any hazards ahead; may be a risk to self and others
Right margin broad
Pg 7
31-40mm
- lacks spontaneity
- feels insecure
- would rather not try anything new since failure would cause too much stress
Right margin extremely broad
Pg 7
50mm+
- feels incapable of dealing with life and everyday existence
- insecure when dealing with others due to inhibitions which makes them distrustful of strangers
- nervous involvement of anything unfamiliar
- overpowering need to be in control
- unlikely to complete what they set out to do
Right margin broadens towards the bottom of the page
Pg 7
- suffers from anxiety about involvement w/ others
- as fear grows they creep back to the past where they feel safer
Right margin narrows towards the bottom of the page
Pg 7
initial reluctance to get involved in projects/relationships is is swept away as a more positive approach to achieving goals is developed
Bottom Margin general info
Pg 7
least important of margins since the stopping place depends on the length of the message and how many pages are involved