In simple terms
A friendly intro before the formal notes — no formulas yet.
From Spectator to Scholar: Mastering the Dance Investigation
The Dance Investigation is your chance to become an expert on a specific dance work. You will move beyond simply describing a dance to developing and proving a unique argument about its meaning, context, or impact, using evidence like a detective and writing like a scholar.
Think of your investigation as choreographing a compelling solo. Your research question is the central artistic intention. Your research (watching the dance, reading articles) is your process of generating movement vocabulary. Your essay's structure is the choreographic form (beginning, middle, end), and your evidence-based analysis consists of the specific, powerful movement phrases that communicate your intention to the audience (the examiner).
- 1
Formulate a 'How' or 'To what extent' Question: Move beyond simple description. Ask a question that requires you to analyse how a dance achieves an effect or to evaluate its significance, ensuring it is focused enough for 1,500 words.
- 2
Gather Balanced Evidence: Combine your own primary source analysis (detailed viewing notes of the dance) with secondary source research (academic articles, critical reviews) to build a sophisticated, multi-faceted argument.
- 3
Construct an Argument-Driven Structure: Your essay must be built around a clear thesis statement. Each paragraph should present a distinct point that supports this thesis, using a topic sentence, evidence, analysis, and a concluding link.
- 4
Integrate, Don't Just List, Your Sources: Weave quotations and ideas from scholars into your own analysis to support or challenge your points. Ensure every source is meticulously cited in-text and in a bibliography according to a consistent style (e.g., MLA, Chicago).
Full topic notes
Formal explanation with the rigour you need for the exam.
Decoding the Assessment Criteria for Top-Band Performance
Understanding what examiners are looking for is the first step to success. Your investigation is marked against four criteria, each assessing a different aspect of your research and writing skills.
Criterion A: Research Question (Max 3 marks): A top-scoring question is not just a topic. 'An analysis of Pina Bausch's Rite of Spring' is a topic. 'How does Pina Bausch's choreographic use of repetition in The Rite of Spring (1975) convey a ritual of communal sacrifice?' is a focused, arguable research question.
Criterion B: Knowledge and understanding of dance (Max 6 marks): This is where you demonstrate your expertise. High marks are awarded for the accurate use of specific dance terminology (e.g., 'kinesthetic empathy', 'somatic principles', 'Laban's effort actions') and for embedding the work in its rich historical and cultural context.
Criterion C: Critical thinking and analysis (Max 12 marks): This is the most heavily weighted criterion. To score highly, you must move beyond description. Your analysis must be 'consistent, detailed, and insightful'. This means every claim is supported by specific evidence from the dance and from your research, and you consistently explain why this evidence is significant to your overall argument.
Criterion D: Structure and presentation (Max 4 marks): A 'clear and coherent' structure is essential. This includes a compelling introduction with a thesis, logically ordered body paragraphs with clear topic sentences, and a synthesising conclusion. 'Appropriate academic conventions' refers to flawless citation, a correctly formatted bibliography, and formal academic language.
Formulating a Powerful Research Question (Criterion A)
The quality of your entire investigation hinges on your research question. It must be narrow enough to be explored in 1,500 words but complex enough to sustain a nuanced argument. A strong question often begins with 'How...', 'Why...', or 'To what extent...' because these words demand analysis, not just description.
Integrating Primary and Secondary Sources for Insightful Analysis (Criterion C)
The highest-achieving investigations demonstrate a seamless synthesis of primary source analysis (your own viewing of the dance) and secondary source research (what scholars have said). Your voice should lead the argument, using scholarly sources to support, contextualise, or even complicate your own interpretations. Avoid 'patch-writing,' where you simply stitch together quotes from others. Instead, engage in a dialogue with your sources.
Structuring Your Essay for Coherence and Impact (Criterion D)
A well-structured essay guides the reader logically through your argument. Think of it as a roadmap. The introduction sets the destination (your thesis), each body paragraph is a planned stop that develops the journey, and the conclusion reflects on the significance of having arrived.
Introduction (approx. 150 words): Start with a hook to engage the reader. Introduce the dance work, choreographer, and context. State your clear, focused research question. End with your powerful, one-sentence thesis statement that answers the question and outlines the main points of your argument.
Body Paragraphs (approx. 1200 words): Each paragraph must have a clear topic sentence that makes a specific claim related to your thesis. Follow this with your evidence: detailed movement analysis from the primary source. Then, integrate secondary source material to support or contextualise your analysis. Crucially, end the paragraph by explaining why this evidence proves your point (the 'so what?' factor).
Conclusion (approx. 150 words): Do not introduce new evidence. Begin by restating your thesis in a fresh way. Synthesise the main points from your body paragraphs, showing how they collectively prove your argument. End with a concluding thought on the broader implications or significance of your findings. Why does this analysis matter to the field of dance?
Worked examples
See the formulas applied — reveal one step at a time, like the exam.
Refine the following broad topic into a focused, IB-style research question: 'Technology in dance by Wayne McGregor.'
- 1
Names a specific work: Autobiography (2017).
Below is a draft paragraph analysing a moment in Hofesh Shechter's Political Mother (2010). How could it be improved to better integrate secondary sources and deepen the analysis for Criterion C?
- 1
Draft Paragraph: 'The dancers in Political Mother often perform in tight unison. They punch the air and stomp their feet. This looks very aggressive and tribal.'
How it all connects
The big idea sits in the middle — tap a linked idea to explore the link.
Tap a linked idea to see how it connects back to the main topic — that connection is what examiners reward.
Glossary
Key terms for this topic — skim now; the Check step will test them.
- Primary Source (Dance)
The dance work itself, viewed live or on recording. Can also include choreographic notes, interviews with the choreographer or dancers, and original programme notes.
- Secondary Source (Dance)
Analysis or interpretation of a dance by someone other than the original creators. Examples include academic books, peer-reviewed journal articles, and critical reviews.
- Research Question (Criterion A)
The central inquiry guiding the investigation. A top-band question is focused, clear, debatable, and appropriate for the scope of the task. It invites analysis rather than simple description.
- Thesis Statement
A single, declarative sentence in your introduction that presents the main argument or claim of your entire investigation. Every part of your essay should work to support it.
- Movement Analysis
The systematic description and interpretation of movement using the elements of dance (body, space, time, dynamics/energy) and other choreographic devices. It's the core of your primary source evidence.
- Contextualisation (Criterion B)
Placing the dance work within its relevant historical, social, cultural, political, and artistic settings. This demonstrates 'knowledge and understanding of dance'.
- Critical Analysis (Criterion C)
Moving beyond description ('what') to interpretation ('how' and 'why'). It involves evaluating evidence, synthesising ideas, and forming reasoned judgements to support your thesis.
- Academic Conventions (Criterion D)
The formal requirements of academic writing, including consistent and accurate citation, a formatted bibliography, appropriate formal language, and clear essay structure.
- Command Term: 'Analyse'
Break down in order to bring out the essential elements or structure. In dance, this means deconstructing movement, themes, and context to explain how they create meaning.
- Command Term: 'To what extent'
Consider the merits or otherwise of an argument or concept. Opinions and conclusions should be presented clearly and supported with appropriate evidence and sound argument.
- Synthesis
Combining elements from different sources (your primary analysis and various secondary sources) to create a new, coherent, and insightful argument. This is a hallmark of high-level critical thinking.
- Plagiarism
Presenting the work or ideas of another person as your own, without proper acknowledgement. It is a serious breach of academic integrity and must be avoided through careful citation.
Name it
Read the meaning, then pick which of this lesson’s terms it describes. Miss one and you see what your choice really means.
Consider the merits or otherwise of an argument or concept. Opinions and conclusions should be presented clearly and supported with appropriate evidence and sound argument.
Quick check
Write your answer first, then compare it with the model one — the gap is what you would have lost.
Teach it back
If you can explain it simply, you own it — gaps here are marks you’d lose.
Teach it back
Explain this topic as if teaching a friend. We name the gaps an examiner would still dock.
Revision flashcards
Guess first, then flip — retrieval beats re-reading.
Key takeaways
Review these before you close the topic — retrieval beats re-reading.
Criterion A: Research Question (Max 3 marks): A top-scoring question is not just a topic. 'An analysis of Pina Bausch's Rite of Spring' is a topic. 'How does Pina Bausch's choreographic use of repetition in The Rite of Spring (1975) convey a ritual of communal sacrifice?' is a focused, arguable research question.
Criterion B: Knowledge and understanding of dance (Max 6 marks): This is where you demonstrate your expertise. High marks are awarded for the accurate use of specific dance terminology (e.g., 'kinesthetic empathy', 'somatic principles', 'Laban's effort actions') and for embedding the work in its rich historical and cultural context.
Criterion C: Critical thinking and analysis (Max 12 marks): This is the most heavily weighted criterion. To score highly, you must move beyond description. Your analysis must be 'consistent, detailed, and insightful'. This means every claim is supported by specific evidence from the dance and from your research, and you consistently explain why this evidence is significant to your overall argument.
Criterion D: Structure and presentation (Max 4 marks): A 'clear and coherent' structure is essential. This includes a compelling introduction with a thesis, logically ordered body paragraphs with clear topic sentences, and a synthesising conclusion. 'Appropriate academic conventions' refers to flawless citation, a correctly formatted bibliography, and formal academic language.
Practice — then mark it
The whole point: a real Cambridge question, marked mark-by-mark.
Test Your Research & Writing Skills
Test Your Research & Writing Skills
Extra simulations & links
PhET, GeoGebra and other curated tools — open in a new tab.
Frequently asked
Checkpoint
One marked question is worth ten re-reads — close the loop before you move on.
Reading it isn’t knowing it — prove it.
Before you move on: do Test Your Research & Writing Skills on paper, snap a photo, and get examiner-style feedback on exactly where you win and lose marks.
Discuss Research methods and academic writing for dance
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