You will write a paper comparing and contrasting the 2 dances (one is modern, one is jazz) on this Youtube Playlist:
Follow the structure and instructions below when writing this paper.
Feldman Model – Analyzing Works of Art
Edmund Burke Feldman, a noted professor of art, developed a four-stage sequence for describing, analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating works of art. The Feldman Model presented here, begins with the easiest task, describing the work of art, and progresses through logical problem-solving stages to the most difficult, developing an informed judgment about the art. The Feldman Model encourages delayed judgment by requiring focus on visual facts before drawing conclusions. We have taken his visual art model and adapted it for viewing dance.
You are writing a 1,500 – 1,600 word paper comparing and contrasting the assigned dances. You are using the Feldman Model. It IS possible to get an “A” grade IF you follow all instructions. This is not a dance review or a critique about how good or bad you thought the dance performance was, this is an analysis and comparison/contrast of works of art, although there is room in the final section for you to share some opinions.
Your paper will follow the Feldman Model. A title page for the paper is not required. Bibliography is not required. This is not a research paper or any other established format such as MLA or APA. This is a Feldman Model Art Analysis Paper. It relies solely on your eyeballs looking at a video and analyzing what you see. No Googling of information is required. What you write in the paper is based solely on your viewing of the dances on video.
As you read through these instructions and then watch the videos, you may become overwhelmed because you will think you have to describe every single dance move. That is not the case. You are looking at the overall style of the dances and comparing and contrasting them. Yes, there will be some detailed movement descriptions needed in order to back up your points, but trying to describe every move of each dance is not the goal.
Be careful to not get too caught up in the Description section of the paper. Yes, you should give some details according to the Feldman Model, but many people go way overboard describing every belt color or shoe design or scarf pattern. That section is only worth 10 points. Do not give me 30 points worth of info because you can still only get 10 points for it. If you want to go overboard anywhere, the Analysis section would be the best place for that.
Do not analyze each dance alone. Do not do a Feldman Model for each dance separately. This is a comparison/contrast paper. The dances should be compared and contrasted THROUGHOUT the entire paper. In the Analysis section, you should go through each element and compare/contrast the dances within that element (body, space, force, time).
Label each section = Description, Analysis, Interpretation, Evaluation. ( No need to label Introduction)
Feldman Model – Follow This Structure
INTRODUCTION – (5 points) The introduction SHOULD include the “who, what, when, where” information about what you viewed. Sometimes a good paper can begin with a striking image or idea which you believe to be at the heart of your viewing experience. You should also include a statement about what you intend to do in the paper, the titles/names of dances you viewed and any points you plan on making.
DESCRIPTION – process of taking inventory (compare/contrast) (10 points)
Describe the style of dance and
Describe the costumes, lights, scenery, theatre
Describe performers and perceived technical
ANALYSIS – process of finding relationships between elements in the work, compare/contrast within each element (20 points)
Body – body parts, body shapes, motion, groupings, partnering,
Space – size (large small moves), levels, directions, focus, floor patterns/pathways, spatial designs, use of symmetry/asymmetry, environment
Time – speed (fast slow), rhythmic patterns, simultaneous events, repetition, cause/effect, momentum, accents, pulse, stillness
Energy – weight (strong light), attack (sharp vs. smooth), quality of movement, dynamics, flow (bound vs. free flow)
INTERPRETATION – process of finding out what a work of art means, compare/contrast (10 points)
What were the choreographers’ intentions in these dances? What were these artists trying to tell us?
Was there a literal theme, movement theme, a social/political commentary, etc.?
Use evidence gathered during the description and analysis to arrive at a meaning of the work. Make an informed guess of the artists’ intentions.
EVALUATION – process of forming a judgment about the work of art, compare/contrast (10 points)
Do you think the choreographers succeeded in their intentions? By what criteria do you make this determination? (use data collected earlier in your paper)
What affected you in any of these dances? What personal reactions did you experience? What are your final thoughts about these dances?
Pay attention to the points allotment. Notice that the section worth the most points is the Analysis section.
In addition to the points possible for each section (see above), here are the remaining points possible:
Formatting – double-spaced, Times 12 font (5 points)
Readability and Mechanics – Spelling, grammar, punctuation, proper sentence structure/ Do your statements make sense? (15 points)
Organization – Did you follow the Feldman Model and label sections? (10 points)
Comparison/Contrast – Did you compare/contrast the dances all throughout the paper? (15 points)
Helpful Advice
Write a rough draft first. Go through and make sure your descriptions are detailed and clear. Assume that the instructor has not seen the dances and you are trying to help me see them through your writing.
Proofread.
Don’t call artistic dance performances and concerts, “recitals” or “routines” or “plays”. Recitals are for kids, routines are more for jazz dance class, ballroom competitions, studio material, drill teams, etc. and plays take place in the theatre with acting. A play with singing and dancing is called a musical.
Follow instructions. Follow instructions. Most points lost on papers are due to students NOT following instructions.
Do NOT use AI to write your paper. These will show up in Turnitin and your paper will receive a failing grade. This paper is written based ONLY on your visual observation of the videos. No research is required.
