Compile notes and texts and use them to pinpoint different geographic areas that you will discuss. Don't overlook places that don't at first seem important. Sometimes a locale is important not for itself, but for what happened there.
Describe the parts of a given space for descriptive papers. For example, if you write about your room, you may describe a wall and its posters and pictures, then move on to the next wall, and then the next and the next. Then you might describe the furnishings, mentioning where they are placed within the room. This may also involve explaining why they are placed where they are, like this: "The chair against the south wall faces the window because I enjoy watching the clouds while I study." Explaining the why of it helps the reader to develop some insight into the character of the speaker or subject.
Use space order in analytical papers as well as in descriptive papers. For example, if you write a paper on Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," you might develop it by explaining why each locale -- Longbourne, Pemberley and Netherfield -- is important symbolically or how each locale is significant to the main character, Elizabeth.
Relate the locale to your thesis statement when possible. If you're organizing a paper by place, you should discuss how each place is relevant. Ask yourself what the place means not only to a character, but to a historic figure or event in other types of expository essays. If you're discussing Napoleon, for example, Moscow, Waterloo and the isle of Elba would be important. Include the answer in your text.
Include plenty of detail, such as color, noises, the quality of light and small furnishings or landscape details when you write a space-ordered expository essay.