Note: Before proceeding, it’s strongly suggested that students read the posts “Memory Makes the Best Artist” and “Part I: Writing About Dance – General Guidelines.” 

This activity combines several short exercises: two that were introduced in the previous post “Memory Makes the Best Artist” called “Notice and Focus” and “10 on 1,” and a parts of a new exercise called “The Method,” all of which were adapted from the book Writing Analytically (5th ed.) by David Rosenwasser and Jill Stephen. These activities develop the tools of observation and analysis that are critical to analyzing works of art. With practice, students benefit by expanding the tools (strategies) in their tool box (range of skills) that will help them in any course, subject, or discipline.

Keep reading for instructions and the relevant pages from Writing Analytically. 

Instructions

1. Pick one of the following videos below to watch.
   • Trisha Brown, “Watermotor”
   • Michelle Dorrance at Stockholm Tap Festival 2014
   • Nederland Dance Theatre, “Shutters Shut”
2. After watching, follow the instructions for “Notice and Focus” described in “Memory Makes the Best Artist.”
3. Watch the video again then do exercise “10 on 1” also in “Memory Makes the Best Artist.”
4. Compare the results of both exercises and look for clusters, words that seem to suggest a common idea:
   • For example: leaps, jumps, hops, height,
   • Sharp, angular, asymmetrical, abrupt, cut off
   • Soft, graceful, glides,
5. Compare your notes from both exercises and look for words that suggest contrasts:
   • jump/crouch
   • fluid/sharp
   • solo/group
6. Determine which cluster or contrast is MOST significant and write 3-5 sentences explaining why that cluster or contrast is most significant to understanding the dance (or your experience of the dance). Be sure to use specific examples and explain cause/effect.

While this may seem like a lot of steps (no pun intended!), consider this: learning a new skill or starting a new endeavor is easier when the process is broken down into a series of steps and writing is no different. In fact, any end product – a research paper, a successful surgery, a dance – is the result of a series of processes and procedures! An analogy that might relate is when we say that we’re “doing laundry” when “doing laundry” actually entails sorting, washing, drying, then folding or hanging up clothes.

Most importantly: writing is hard and for some, writing about art is even more difficult. Once you learn the exercises above, the exercises will become easy to recall and apply, and you’ve formed a solid foundation for the next step of analysis: determining and explaining significance.

[gview file=”http://eportfolios.macaulay.cuny.edu/natov2016/files/2016/09/Writing-Analytially_The-Method.pdf”]