How to Revise Critical Engagement — AQA A-Level Dance & Performing Arts
Research a chosen area of study. Present findings in a written essay
Examiner Tips for Critical Engagement
- Plan your research before starting to write.
- Use academic databases and credible websites.
- Proofread your essay for clarity and coherence.
- Structure your response with a concise introduction that directly addresses the question, followed by well-developed paragraphs that integrate critical analysis with contextual understanding.
- Use specialist dance terminology accurately and consistently when discussing choreographic devices, technical skills, and performance qualities.
- For each point made, explicitly link your observation to the choreographer's purpose or audience impact to demonstrate higher-order evaluative skills.
Common Mistakes in Critical Engagement
- Choosing a topic that is too broad or too narrow.
- Relying on a single source of information.
- Plagiarising or not citing sources correctly.
- Confusing factual details (e.g., date, choreographer, company) between different set works, leading to inaccurate contextual analysis.
- Making generic assertions about the dance without locating them in specific examples, resulting in unsupported evaluation.
- Over-describing the narrative or movement sequence without analysing how elements like space, dynamics, and relationships convey meaning.
Key Marking Points
- Select a suitable research topic and formulate a research question.
- Use a range of sources to gather information.
- Analyse and evaluate findings critically.
- Present findings in a well-structured essay with references.
- Award credit for demonstrating clear understanding of the relationship between the choreographer's intent and the selected movement style, supported by precise references to specific moments in the set work.
- Reward analysis that evaluates the contribution of aural, visual, and physical settings to the overall interpretation, rather than simple description.