Dance Elements and Choreographic Devices

Start with a motif

Begin with Manipulating a Motif to explore ways of changing a movement. The mind map covers repetition, retrograde and inversion. It describes retrograde as performing a movement in reverse and inversion as flipping it. Use the map to compare these approaches, then think about how each changes the original movement.

Next, open Motif Development. It brings together actions, dynamics, space and relationships, with examples such as changing the order of actions or using different body parts. Moving between the maps can help you connect a named device with a way to develop a motif.

Explore devices and relationships

The Choreographic devices mind map covers canon and unison. It describes canon as dancers doing the same move one after another, and unison as doing it at the same time. The map on choreography and relationships also includes mirroring, lead and follow, contact, and complement and contrast.

For a different format, use Choreographic Devices Flashcards to review terms including augmentation, fragmentation, repetition and retrograde. Compare the descriptions on the cards with the ideas in the mind maps.

Use the quiz with the maps

Try Choreographic Principles after exploring the maps. Its questions include contrasting, accumulation and projection. When a question brings up an idea you want to explore further, return to a relevant map or the flashcards and look for the term there.

Teachers can use the same sequence to guide students from a visual overview to a quiz and back to the resources for further study.

Connect ideas across the unit

Within the wider unit in Performing arts (theatre, dance), this topic page brings together ways to develop and organize movement. General Dance places choreographic devices alongside action, space, dynamics, relationships and structures. Explore that map after studying motifs to see those ideas together.

Choose a map, then use the quiz to check which ideas you want to study further.