Breaking the Mold: Changing Course and Challenging Convention
Artists continually create new ideas and challenge convention that then become recognizable dance
genres. This process continually turns over as later generations form and present their own ideas. Ballet
often deals with controversial topics such as relationships, passions, sexuality, but also political or other
social issues that address the people. These controversies that occur an art can be perceived differently
depending on the political situation and the country development, as well as the setting of an individual ́s
morality.
Artists offer their own unique perspectives and important ideas that provide a vehicle for social change
that transcends words. For this assignment, you will select a ballet selection (list provided) and respond
with a professional paper. Please note the percentage for each heading to understand the grading of the
paper.
DIRECTIONS
1. Introductory Paragraph (10%)
Write an introductory paragraph that introduces your research in an engaging way. Make sure and
include the dance titles (should be italicized), the choreographer’s names, the composer’s name,
date premiered, and the date of performance you viewed.
After you refer to the choreographer(s) by their full name, you can then refer to them by last name
only. It sounds more professional.
Avoid statements like “I will be discussing…” or “For this assignment…”. This is redundant.
2. Describe (Body paragraphs) (30%)
Use clear and detailed movement description to analyze & describe what you are seeing (please
avoid dance terminology). Avoid the words ‘movement,’ ‘moved,’ and ‘danced,’ for they convey
little detail. Think about how they are moving and the actions of the movement (i.e. the dancers
transitioned through space and altered their spatial formations by running swiftly and rolling on
the ground).
For every descriptive action word (run, kick, leap, turn, fall, release, reach, etc.) there
should be a corresponding descriptor (quickly, swiftly, slowly, easily, freely, urgently, fully,
etc.).
Note: Do not describe the entire dance. Rather, richly describe the pivotal moments in the dance
that support your ideas.
How do the costumes, music, lighting, and performance play into the presentation of this
choreography?
3. Interpret/Make Connections (30%)
Based on your readings, research, class lectures and discussions, what style of ballet is this?
Which elements of the classical ballet tradition does the ballet work disregard?
Which elements of the classical ballet tradition does the ballet work embrace?
How do the elements that you observed and described lead you to a conclusion (or an educated
guess) about the meaning of this choreography?
Avoid evaluative statements (“I thought this piece was great because…” or “I didn’t like this piece
because…”).
5. Concluding Paragraph (5%)
Summarize the main points from the paper and leave the reader with a final impression.
6. The Paper (5%)
Your paper must be at least 2 pages in length to provide substantive research and reflection.
Make sure your writing exhibits proper grammar and spelling.
MLA formatting: 1-inch margins, 12-point Times New Roman, left-aligned, double-spaced
MLA heading follows the above formatting with the following information:
7. MLA In-Text Citations (5%)
Last Completed Projects
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