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E)
Catherine B. Boco
12-St. joseph
Table of contents:
1. Unity - The interconnected phrases of the dance are coherent and flow smoothly together. The
movements fit together and each plays an important role that contributes to the entirety of a dance.
2. Continuity and Development - The phrases of the dance that are organized progressively, making each
movement phrase move naturally into the next.
3. Variety and Contrast - Variety and contrast in movement phrases add excitement and flavor in the
dance. Changing the direction, use of energy, timing of a movement phrase, and avoiding repeating them
in the exact way are ways to add variety to the dance. Examples of contrasting movements are slow to
fast, short to long, and minimal to large movement phrases.
4. Transition - This is the link between movements, phrases, and sections of the dance. Also, it is vital
because it keeps the unity and continuity of the dance. Transitions may vary from length and complexity.
They may also be simple or involving an entire phrase of movement.
5. Repetition - It emphasizes movements and phrases that are important to the dance and gives a feeling
of closure to a work (Minton, 2007). Usually, when a section of a choreography is repeated, it is the main
message of the dance. This function to make clearer the meaning or intention of the dance (Rickett-
Young, 1996).
6. Climax - This is where the apex of energy in the dance is reached (Schrader, 1996). It is similar to a
climax in a story where a series of events culminates. The music will often assist both the choreographer
and the audience when determining this point of development (Schrader, 1996)
All these characteristics are organized to contribute to the development of a meaningful dance. As the
author in dance choreography, Sara Cerny Minton (2007) has pointed out, "all phrases in a work should
be designed to form the integrated sections of your dance, and all the sections of the dance should be
placed in a sequence that moves toward an appropriate conclusion."
What is a form?
A form is the instrument by which ideas and elements are arranged or combined into a logical
sequence which results in unity and consistency, and by means of which the content or idea can
be expressed and communicated. It is the organizing factor of any work or dance- composition.
(Lockhart, 1982).
The form should progress through time from the beginning to the end of the choreography
(Minton, 2007). Each section is composed of several units that are smoothly connected to each
other. These small units are called phrases.
What is a phrase?
• ”A phrase is the smallest unit of form in the whole dance" (Blom and Chaplin, 1988). It can be
related to a sentence in writing compositions. Choreographers and dancers use movement
phrasing when working on dances. Commonly, a single phrase consists of eight counts.
What is a motif?
• A single movement or a short phrase of movement that embodies the style and intention of the dance
is called the motif. A good dance uses a motif in which the movements are repeated, varied, and
developed by manipulating the movement components or elements.
• One good example of a dance with motif is the Itik-itik Philippine folkdance. It is easy to identify the
motif of this dance as it simple