Given a set of grammatical categories whose members are arranged syntagmatically by a template, the template is specified thus:

1. A reference point is identified whose position the template presupposes, i.e. which it uses as a fixpoint.
2. The sequential structure of the syntagma is taken to consist in a sequence of slots which are filled by the members of the grammatical categories in question.
3. The slots are thus numbered consecutively:
   • The reference point occupies slot 0.
   • Slots following the reference point (for grammatical categories coded in suffixes, enclitics or postposed words) are numbered from left to right, starting with 1.
   • Slots preceding the reference point (for grammatical categories coded in prefixes, proclitics or preposed words) are numbered from right to left, starting with 1.
   • If the template comprises both preposed and postposed elements, the preposed elements are numbered by negative integers (-n, ..., -2, -1).
4. Apart from its number, each slot is identified by the grammatical category which it hosts.
5. For each slot, the conditions of its occupation are specified. Among other things, filling a slot may be
   • absolutely obligatory,
   • obligatory under certain conditions (esp. if another slot is occupied [by a certain element]),
   • absolutely optional,
   • excluded under certain conditions (esp. if another slot is occupied [by a certain element]).
6. If the grammatical category occupying a certain slot is constituted by a small paradigm, then its members may be enumerated.

A template may contain hierarchical substructures. For instance, the template of the prefixes of the Hocank verb has two alternative versions which are best analyzed in terms of a slot which, in turn, consists of one of two alternative substructures, thus:

The instrumental complex is structured according to subtemplate a) for short instrumental prefixes, according to subtemplate b) for long instrumental prefixes.