Free Introductory Notes on

SIZE, RELATIVE SIZE, and SIGNIFICATION OF ZONES

ASSESSMENT OF SIZE "Size" of writing is measured vertically, using a ruler, until your "eye" has learned to recognize 'large', 'medium', 'small' size, etc., and also whether the 'size' fluctuates or is consistent.

the 'absolute size' which covers writing from top of upper zone extensions (b, d, l etc) to bottom of lower zone extensions (g, j, y etc);
the 'relative size', which only covers the small letters, or 'middle zone' (a, o, m, n, etc.)

The term 'relative' simply means "in relation to" the absolute size. Equally, the 'upper zone' or the 'lower zone' can be large or small "in relation to" middle zone letters. In standard English writing each of these three zones is about 3mm in height; other handwritings (American, German, French, etc.) differ slightly in proportions.

Assessment by eye alone can be dangerous at first, as the eye tends to judge the size of the middle zone (mz) and to ignore the extensions. For this reason a ruler is used to begin with, in order to train the "eye". Using photocopies rather than marking the original can be useful.

INTERPRETATION OF ABSOLUTE SIZE

Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that size can be varied very easily, either at will, or because of mood or preconditions. For example, exhilaration could increase size (some people say a fever can, too), also cramped conditions, so that one must be very cautious. Unless there is sufficient evidence to show that the writing is normal in size for the writer, it is often difficult, especially for the beginner, to distinguish between the effect of the basic character, the mood of the moment, or the conditions of writing. For this reason, size by itself can reveal a wide range of indications, and must always be supported by other indicators in the writing having the same interpretation. Supplement your studies with as many books as you can, and the meanings will become clear.

The lists below show some of the most useful interpretations. (Positive characteristics on the left, negative on the right, neutral in the middle so far as they can be so divided.) When it comes to deciding which is applicable, other aspects of the writing which will be covered in future notes will help to clarify. All of the following detail must therefore be read with these limitations in mind:

LARGE WRITING

The guiding image is expansion into height and/or depth and the basic meaning is subjectivity and the desire or intention to expand the personality.

The movement is generally released and uninhibited. There are many derivative meanings. Large writing can indicate almost anything connected with 'greatness', e.g. expansion, growing, overshadowing, domination, etc.
Among them are:

positive	neutral	negative
Greatness	Desire for greatness	Lack of realism
Ambition	Poor sense of proportion	Inaccuracy
Idealism	Lack of inhibition	Maladjustment
Leadership	Pride	Extravagance
Adventure	Ignoring obstacles	Long-sightedness
Courage	Demand for space	Megalomania
Generosity	Open air life
Upper class writing

MEDIUM SIZE

The guiding image is 'conventional' or 'conforming'. This is as prescribed by the standard copymodel, and reveals a need to conform in all areas. No extremes will be found, with a preference for the tried and tested methods in life, especially when this is combined with very little or total lack of fluctuation in size.

SMALL SIZE

Guiding image here is 'contraction' and the basic meaning is contraction or subordination of personality. The movement is usually controlled and to some extent implies inhibition. Derivative meanings include:

positive	neutral	negative
Economy of strength		Pettiness
Accuracy		Economy
Objectivity		Intolerance
Modesty		Lack of personality
Discipline		Lack of space
Realism		Depression
Adjustability		Inferiority complex
		Short sighted (physically)

GROWING WORDS AND CAPITALS

The guiding image is looking up and the source is looking upwards to others.
Hence:

positive	neutral	negative
Frankness		Comparison of self with superiors
Ambitions		Childishness
Naivete		Jealousy
		Envy
		Inferiority feelings

DIMINISHING WORDS AND CAPITALS

The guiding image is looking down and the basic meaning is looking downwards on others.
hence:-

positive	neutral	negative
Superiority feelings		Pride
Maturity		Insincerity
Diplomacy		Disproportionate attitude between self and others
Sophistication

NOTE: the above interpretations are only intended to give a general guide or outline.

RELATIVE SIZE OF HANDWRITING

Besides measuring the 'abs. size' of letters in one zone or in two or three zones taken together, we also have to consider the proportional size of letters, i.e. the length of the zones relative to one another.

Part of every letter in the alphabet covers the mz. In measuring relative size therefore the height of the mz is taken as the basis.

A writing in which the length of the mz is large compared with the uz or lz, or to both of them, is called "relatively large". Conversely, a relatively small handwriting is one in which the height of the uz and/or depth of the lz are such as to overshadow the mz in a disproportionate way.

THE MEANING OF DISPROPORTIONATE EXTENSIONS OR ZONES

The basic meaning is a lack of proportion and of mental or emotional balance, i.e. a preponderance of the interests indicated by the zones in which there is exaggeration at the expense of, or to the neglect of, those which are undeveloped or stunted. The signification of the three zones in this connection is as follows:

Middle Zone:

Common-sense
Self-assertion
Sentimental, social and rational considerations
Attitude to everyday life.

Upper Zone:

Extension above everyday matters into the realms of dreams
of intellectual or spiritual interests
of ideals and speculation.

Lower Zone:

Extension into the sub-conscious
Instinctual needs, e.g. sexual inclinations
Material and business considerations
Down to earth.

Capital Emphasis: (overlarge (more than twice height of m/z letters) embellished or elaborated capital letters.

Love of limelight
Self dramatization
Lack of mental balance
Auto-suggestion
Over-compensation of inferiority feelings, by showing off.

This is a very simplified general overview, and I make no apology for again emphasising that studies be supplemented by as much of the recommended reading material as possible.
In practice, it can be difficult for those just starting to distinguish between the different possible meanings of, say, the lower zone, and to decide for example when subconscious (e.g. sexual) urges are indicated and when this becomes business interest.

For this reason, it must always be remembered, that no individual movements can be taken to indicate anything definite about the writer, unless it is supported by at least two other dominant characteristics, having the same interpretation. When this is done, and supported by form level, speed, rhythm and regularity (all to be covered in future notes), the meaning will become clear.

Assessment of Width

The width of writing is measured by comparing the distance between the downstrokes of a letter with the height of the middle zone. In broad writing the distance between the downstrokes is greater than the height, in narrow writing it is smaller. The width of the letters themselves, so measured, is called primary width.

We also have to consider secondary width, which is an assessment of the distance between adjacent letters in the same word. This is measured in the same sort of way by considering whether the length of the connecting stroke, or the distance between two disconnected letters, is such as to fit symmetrically with the primary width of the letter. The most frequent variation is a long connection, or gap,between two normal or quite narrow letters, i.e. exaggerated secondary width. It was once unusual to find really broad letters jammed close together, but this is becoming more common today.

Interpretation of Width

Broad writing The guiding image is horizontal extension, social or physical, and the basic meaning is reaching out for more space.

Broadness implies the wish or intention to expand by doing, rather than by thinking; a wish to extend laterally in the social, physical everyday life, as distinct from the reaching up into the heights or down into the depths mentally or subconsciously (which is the meaning of long upper or lower lengths).

The movement is generally loose or released, and one of the most frequent derived meanings is a loose or released tongue. Others are:-

positive	neutral	negative
sincerity		Lack of consideration
Expansiveness		Talkativeness
Broad Views		Neglect of convention
Love of travel		Extravagance
Desire for more elbow room		lack of self-control
Broad speaking		Hysterical talking

Narrow writing

The guiding image is restriction and the general interpretation is dislike, or avoidance of social expansion. Narrow writing is nearly always a reflection of some form of inhibition or control. Hence:

positive	neutral	negative
Discipline		Inhibitions
Self control		Pedantry
Consideration		Narrow mind
Economy		Meanness
Thrift		Shyness
		Fears
		Compulsion Neurosis

Reminder

These notes are intended to give some insight into the workings of graphology, and will be updated every few weeks. Join us again for some guiding notes on the Connection of Letters, Continuity, and Spacing.

If you have enjoyed this brief introduction, and would like to take a serious course of instruction, details of tuition are available. The Institute offers a series of examinations leading to Diploma for those students who successfully complete all stages.

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