England · AQASyllabus
Dance syllabus, dot point by dot point
Every dot point in the England Dancesyllabus, with a focused answer for each one. Click any dot point for a worked explainer, past exam questions, and links to related dot points. Written by Claude Opus 4.8, Anthropic's latest AI.
Component 2: Anthology of professional works
Module overview →- What do you need to know about A Linha Curva for the written exam?A Linha Curva (Itzik Galili, Rambert, 2009): choreographic intent, structure, 28 dancers, movement features, staging and aural setting of the anthology set work.9 min answer →
- What are the six anthology set works and how do you study them?The six professional works in the GCSE Dance anthology (Artificial Things, A Linha Curva, Within Her Eyes, Emancipation of Expressionism, Shadows, Infra), their choreographers, dancers and key facts, and how to study them for the written exam.9 min answer →
- What do you need to know about Artificial Things for the written exam?Artificial Things (Lucy Bennett, Stopgap Dance Company, 2014): choreographic intent, structure, dancers, movement features, staging and aural setting of the anthology set work, focusing on Scene Three.9 min answer →
- What is each anthology work about, and what context shaped it?Choreographic intent and context of the anthology works: the meaning each choreographer aimed to communicate, the stimulus and themes, and the choreographic approach and background of each set work.8 min answer →
- What do you need to know about Emancipation of Expressionism for the written exam?Emancipation of Expressionism (Kenrick Sandy, Boy Blue Entertainment, 2013): choreographic intent, four-section structure, dancers, hip hop movement features, staging and aural setting in the anthology.9 min answer →
- What do you need to know about Infra for the written exam?Infra (Wayne McGregor, The Royal Ballet, 2008): choreographic intent, structure, twelve dancers, movement features, the Julian Opie LED screen, Max Richter score and lighting in the anthology.9 min answer →
- How do the anthology choreographers use movement and the dancers' bodies?Movement and physical features of the anthology works: the action, dynamic, spatial and relationship content and the dance style and physical skills used by the dancers in each set work.8 min answer →
- What do you need to know about Shadows for the written exam?Shadows (Christopher Bruce, Phoenix Dance Theatre, 2014): choreographic intent, semi-narrative structure, four dancers, movement features, set and props, costume, lighting and the Arvo Part aural setting.9 min answer →
- How do staging and aural setting shape the anthology works?Staging and aural setting of the anthology works: the set, props, costume, lighting and performance environment, and the aural setting (music, song, found sound, silence) of each set work and how they support the intent.8 min answer →
- What do you need to know about Within Her Eyes for the written exam?Within Her Eyes (James Cousins, James Cousins Company, 2016): a dance film for two dancers, its choreographic intent, structure, movement, location, lighting and aural setting in the anthology.9 min answer →
Component 2: Choreography
Module overview →- How do music, costume, lighting and staging support a dance?Aural setting (music, song, found sound, silence) and staging or physical setting (performance environment, set, props, costume, lighting) and how these production features support the choreographic intention.8 min answer →
- How does a choreographer develop and vary movement material?Choreographic devices: motif and motif development, repetition, contrast, highlights, climax, manipulation of number, and action, space, dynamic and relationship content used to develop material.8 min answer →
- How does a choreographer organise sections of a dance into a clear structure?Structuring a dance: form and structure including binary, ternary, rondo, narrative, episodic, beginning-middle-end, and the use of transitions, unity, logical sequence and a clear climax.8 min answer →
- How does a choreographer turn a stimulus into a finished dance?The choreographic process: responding to a stimulus, forming a choreographic intention, generating and developing movement material through improvisation and selection, and refining the work in rehearsal.8 min answer →
Component 2: Dance appreciation
Module overview →- How do you analyse and interpret the movement and features of a dance?Analysing and interpreting dance: identifying and describing movement components (action, dynamic, spatial, relationship) and production features, and interpreting how they communicate meaning and choreographic intent.8 min answer →
- How do you critically reflect on and evaluate your own performance and choreography?Critical appreciation of own work: reflecting on and evaluating personal performance and choreography, identifying strengths and areas for improvement, and explaining how skills and devices were used to realise the intention.7 min answer →
- How do you discuss and evaluate professional dance works in the written exam?Evaluating professional works: discussing choreographic intent, movement and production features of the set works in the anthology, making interpretations and justified judgements supported by evidence.8 min answer →
Component 1: Performance
Module overview →- How does a dancer communicate meaning, character and mood to an audience?Expressive skills (projection, focus, spatial awareness, facial expression, phrasing, musicality, sensitivity to other dancers) used to communicate choreographic intent to an audience.8 min answer →
- How does a dancer prepare mentally and work safely to perform well and avoid injury?Mental skills used during performance and in rehearsal (movement memory, commitment, concentration, confidence, systematic repetition, mental rehearsal, rehearsal discipline) and safe working practices including warm up, cool down and safe execution.8 min answer →
- What extra skills are needed when performing with other dancers in a duet or group?Performing in a duet or group: relationship content (lead and follow, mirroring, action and reaction, accumulation, complement and contrast, counterpoint, contact, formations) and the awareness, sensitivity and timing needed to dance with others.8 min answer →
- What physical skills and technical skills does a dancer need to perform accurately and safely?Physical skills (posture, alignment, balance, coordination, control, flexibility, mobility, strength, stamina, extension, isolation) and technical skills (action content, dynamic content, spatial content, relationship content, timing) used in performance.8 min answer →