DanceQ&A by dot point

The choreographic devices used in National 5 Dance, including unison, canon, mirroring, retrograde, juxtaposition, accumulation, partner work and contact improvisation, and the effect each one has on a dance.

Choreographic structure, including how a dance is organised into sections and the common structures used, such as binary, ternary, rondo, narrative, theme and variation, and motif and development.

Spatial elements in choreography, including formations, levels, pathways, direction, and the size of movement, and how the use of space shapes a dance and its meaning.

Creating movement from a stimulus or theme, including the role of the initial motif and the methods used to develop a motif into longer movement material.

Overview of the choreography task and the choreography review: creating a dance for two or more people from a stimulus, and the written review that explains and evaluates the choreographic choices made.

Knowledge and understanding of a chosen dance style, including its style-specific steps, key characteristics, where and when it originated, how it has changed over time, and an influential choreographer of the style.

Evaluating professional choreography, including analysing the choreographic devices, structure, spatial elements, use of theatre arts and theme in a professional dance for two or more people, and judging how effectively they work.

The theatre arts used in dance and their impact, including lighting, set design, costume, make-up and hair, and music and sound, and how each one supports the theme and mood of a dance.

Evaluating personal performance and developing it, including identifying strengths and areas for development in technique and performance skills, and selecting development methods to improve them.

The performance skills assessed in National 5 Dance, including timing and musicality, quality and dynamics, self-expression and sense of performance, concentration and focus, and fluency and transitions, and how they communicate a dance to an audience.

The technical skills assessed in National 5 Dance, including the use of turnout and parallel, centring, balance, alignment and posture, coordination and technical accuracy, and how each one supports a precise, well-executed performance.

The physical demands of dance on the body, including strength, stamina (cardio-respiratory endurance) and flexibility, the role of spatial awareness, and safe working practice through warm-up, cool-down and conditioning.

Overview of the National 5 Dance performance: a teacher-choreographed technical solo in a chosen dance style, assessed on the application of technique and the application of performance skills.