Dance Design Definitions

Question 1

What is a phrase?

Answer 1

• partial dance idea
• link of two or more dance steps
• like a sentence in English

Question 2

What is a section?

Answer 2

• several phrases linked together to communicate an intention
• make up a formal structure

Question 3

What is a motif?

Answer 3

A brief movement or movement phrase with an obvious characteristic, often repeated throughout the dance

Question 4

What is a formal structure?

Answer 4

• the framework for a dance piece.
• the order of a dance that will best express an intention

Question 5

What is a cohesive composition?

Answer 5

• where a dance has a beginning, middle and end (even if it only has two sections)
• allows the audience to perceive the work clearly right from the first thing they see to the end