Traits and Strokes

Middle Zone
 Middle Zone

VISUAL DESCRIPTION: The writing area that embodies part or all of every
letter of the alphabet and is measured from the baseline to the top of the
letter. The middle zone primarily covers the space encompassed by the
letters with no upper or lower extensions such as "a", "c", "e", "i", "m", "n",
"o", "r", "s" , "u", "v", "w", and "y", along with the central part of the bi-zonal
and tri-zonal letters.

INTERPRETATION: The ongoing, daily activities of life. Just like all letters
come into the middle zone, picture the middle zone as the "mainstream of
life," where the person stands in relation to his or her day-to-day activities.
 Middle Zone Size
VISUAL DESCRIPTION: Normally the middle zone should be about 1/8 inch
high.

INTERPRETATION: Ability to focus and work in the background or

foreground. Writers with small middle zones are able to focus and work
in the background while large middle zone writers have short attention
spans and prefer to work in the foreground. Those with average middle
zones are versatile and equally comfortable working in either the
background or the foreground.
 Middle Zone Variability
VISUAL DESCRIPTION: Variability refers to the consistency of size of
middle zone letters.

INTERPRETATION: Consistency of actions and responses. The less variable

the middle zone size, the more consistent the behavior.
 "a" and "o" Loops
VISUAL DESCRIPTION: Some writers make loops while forming the letters
"a" and "o".

INTERPRETATION: Deception of self or others. Loops on the left reveal

self-deception, loops at the top reflect secrecy and loops on the right
represent deception of others.
 "a" and "o" Openings
VISUAL DESCRIPTION: Many writers do not close the top of the circle when
making an "a" or an "o".

INTERPRETATION: Discretion. Closed means discreet while Open is

indiscreet. Picture a's and o's as mouths which are open, closed, and able
to keep secrets to varying degrees.
 Unrelated "r" Items.
• Flat Top
• Two Equal Points
• First Point Higher
• First Point Looped
• Soft and Rounded
• Single Point
 Flat Top
VISUAL DESCRIPTION: The top of the small letter "r" is flat.

INTERPRETATION: Mechanical aptitude. Picture the flat top of the "r" as a

workbench used in construction.
 Two Equal Points
VISUAL DESCRIPT ION: The top of the small letter "r" has two points which
are approximately equal in height.

INTERPRETATION: Finger dexterity. Picture the two points of the "r" as

two fingers pointing.
 First Point Higher
VISUAL DESCRIPTION: The top of the small letter "r" has two points, with
the first point higher than the second.

INTERPRETATION: Likes verbal expression (e.g. talking), where

communication skills can be practiced and improved.
 First Point Looped
VISUAL DESCRIPTION: The top of the small letter "r" has two points, one of
which is looped.

INTERPRETATION: Likes to sing, regardless of ability.

 Soft and Rounded

VISUAL DESCRIPTION: The top of the small letter "r" does not have points but
looks like a rounded top.

INTERPRETATION: Takes the easy way out. Picture the round top as
"smoothing over the edges," which is another way to describe taking the easy
way out.
 Single Point
VISUAL DESCRIPTION: The top of the small letter "r" comes to a single point.

INTERPRETATION: Curiosity. Picture the point as a shovel used to unearth

new facts, ideas and explanations of how things work.
 Unrelated Items
• Line Through "s" or "c"
• Zeros Connected
• Small "e" Like a Greek "e"
• Small "s" Printed
• Thread Writing
 Line Through "s" or "c"
VISUAL DESCRIPTION: The small letters "s" or "c" have lines drawn through
them and they look like dollar or cent signs.

INTERPRETATION: Thinks about money frequently (even while focusing on

other things). Lines through "s" or "c" make them into literal dollar or cent signs.
 Zeros Connected
VISUAL DESCRIPTION: In number samples, two or more zeros are connected.

INTERPRETATION: Facility with figures related to finance. Connectedness

between two figures indicates facility in moving from one figure to another.
 Small "e" Like a Greek "e"
VISUAL DESCRIPTION: The small letter "e" is written like a Greek "e".

INTERPRETATION: Has cultural interests in art, music, drama and/or literature.

Picture the Greek "e" as a symbol of the richness of ancient Greek culture.
 Small "s" Printed
VISUAL DESCRIPTION: In a sample of cursive writing, the small letter "s" is
printed at least one time. Note: This item should not be selected when analyzing
printing. See Analyzing Printing.

INTERPRETATION: Visual learner who likes to read. Picture the printed small
letter "s" in a body of cursive writing as a symbol of the visual scanning which
occurs when reading pages from side to side.
 Thread Writing
VISUAL DESCRIPTION: Look only in the middle zone for thread-like writing.

INTERPRETATION: Tactfulness. Like diplomacy, tactfulness minimizes offensive

reactions by obscuring information. This also makes it difficult to pin the person
down.