Description Patterns

• Spatial


  Describes how the subject occupies space
• Vertical


  Best with subjects that are taller than they are wide. You may start at the top and work your way down, or start at the bottom and work your way up. Descriptions of peoples are often vertically organized
• Horizontal


  Moves from left to right, or from right to left, taking the details in a horizontal sequence. Depending on the perspective of the writer, the description could also move from the front to back or vice versa. Usually, the direction of movement is a matter of choice. Descriptions of places are often organized horizontally
• Circular


  Used whenever a horizontal pattern involves something that is not in a straight line. The interior of a room, for example, could use a circular pattern, beginning at the door and working around the room until returning to the starting point
• Affective


  Describes the effect a person, place, or thing has on the writer. Recreating that same effect on the audience becomes the purpose of the writer. It uses description to convey feelings
• Temporal


  Refers to narration