Linear patterns relate to the general appearance of the poem as it appears on the page. Linear patterns usually occur at the beginning and ends of lines. For instance, if the beginning of every other line is slightly indented, representing a pause on the first beat, this forms a visual pattern. If multiple longer lines extend to an equal distance from the edge of the page, while shorter lines do not extend as far but are also equal to each other in length, this too will create a visual pattern, especially if the longer and shorter lines repeat with a consistent symmetry. If punctuation such as a periods, commas or semi-colons at the ends of the lines is at equidistant locations, this also will create a visual pattern.
When the structure of a poem comprises multiple stanzas, the sizes and shapes of the stanzas can create images. Sometimes the equal lengths of the stanzas connect and combine to form one unified image. Other times different stanzas can have different numbers of lines. The consistency of number of lines in each stanza can create a visual pattern. For instance, if every other stanza in a poem varies from four lines to six lines, the symmetry forms a pattern. If each stanza has two more lines than the previous one, this too will be a visual pattern.
Syntactical patterns refer to images created by the repetition of words, phrases or grammatical conventions in two separate lines or sentences. The repetition captivates the eyes to create a visual pattern, and if the repeated words or phrases are set at even intervals from each other, this will create a symmetrical pattern. Even if the phrases are not exactly identical, the similarities can make them appear to have been constructed in the same manner and to express the same concepts. Furthermore, the repeated usage of grammatical markings in a poem -- such as italics, boldfacing and capitalization -- can also establish a visual image.
Visual poetry is a form of poetry in which the words and lines of the poem all unite to form one distinct and well-defined image. Typically the image portrayed by the structure of the poem will reflect the title or subject matter that the poem addresses. For example, in John Hollander's "Swan and Shadow," all of the words and lines connect to accurately depict a swan and its reflection in the water beneath, and George Herbert's "The Altar" is shaped like an altar. Additionally, the words in Scott Scherr's poem, "Cold Turkey," combine to create the clear image of a turkey, while his poem "Yesterdays," a New Year's celebration poem, depicts a champagne glass.