🧠 Section A · Mini Site 4
What Section A Asks You to Do
Made-up choreography · Q1 · Stimulus types · Question bank
📚 What you'll learn
- How Section A is split and which half this page covers
- The three-part Q1 formula — and why it matters
- The five types of stimulus and how many dancers to expect
- What question types can follow Q1
4.1.1 The Big Picture
✏️
Made-Up Choreography
~Q1–Q6 Linked to the stimulus
~17 marks typically
IntentMotif
DevelopmentSpace
RelationshipsStructure
Environment
👈 THIS PAGE IS ALL ABOUT THIS HALF
🏃
Performance Skills
Q7+ NOT linked to stimulus
~13 marks typically
DefinitionsMCQ
Safe PracticeExercises
Tap the tips below for key info 👇
⏱️ Time tip
⭐ Before you write Q1
📋 Questions vary by paper
Spend 30 minutes on Section A. Allow about 3 minutes just for Q1 — it sets up everything that follows.
Spend 2 minutes reading all the linked questions first. Put a ⭐ next to any question that says "support your choreographic intent" — then write Q1 knowing exactly what it needs to cover.
The choreography questions are not the same every year. Q1 always appears, but what follows varies. You need to be ready for any question type — they're all on this page.
4.1.2 Question 1 — The Formula
Q1 is always 3 marks and always comes first. 6–8 questions that follow will link back to it. Keep your intent clear and simple — tap each step to learn the formula.
🔑 Tap each step to see what it means
1
Intent
"My choreographic intent is…"
▶
State the dance idea — then stop. One clear sentence. No waffle.
✅ Strong
"My choreographic intent is to explore the feeling of being watched but never truly seen."
❌ Too vague
"My choreographic intent is about lots of feelings and how people relate to each other in different ways."
2
Stimulus
"The [stimulus] made me think of…"
▶
Connect your idea to the stimulus. How does it inspire your intent? This earns mark 2.
Example — stimulus: an umbrella
"The umbrella made me think of protection — something sheltering you from things you don't want to face."
3
Dancers
"The [n] dancer(s) would represent…"
▶
Give the dancer(s) a role or purpose. This earns mark 3 and sets up dancer questions.
Example
"The one dancer would represent someone hiding from their own grief, moving through an empty world."
Complete Q1 answer — all 3 marks
My choreographic intent is to explore the feeling of being watched but never truly seen. The mirror made me think of how we only show a surface version of ourselves to the world. The solo dancer would represent someone who has learned to perform their own life — showing a reflection of who they're supposed to be.
Intent [1m]
Stimulus link [1m]
Use of dancers [1m]
4.1.3 Your Unseen Stimulus
You won't see it until the exam. It will be one of 5 types. Tap each card to see an example.
Words, poem or text
Tap for example →
e.g. "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction" — or a short poem about loss or conflict.
Photograph or image
Tap for example →
e.g. A photo of a bridge, a derelict fairground, a busy city crossing.
Prop or object
Tap for example →
e.g. An umbrella, a clock, a chair, a suitcase. Focus on what it symbolises.
Feature of the natural world
Tap for example →
e.g. A volcano, a storm, a sunrise. Think beyond the literal — what does it represent?
Everyday or historical event
Tap for example →
e.g. A protest march, a wartime evacuation. Think about the human feeling behind it.
Number of dancers — given in the question, 1 to 5:
1
Solo
one dancer
2
Duet
two dancers
3
Trio
three dancers
4
Group
four dancers
5
Quintet
five dancers
4.1.4 Question Types That May Appear
You won't get all of these — but any could appear. Tap each card to see what it asks for.
Choreographic Intent
3m · ALWAYS
Tap to see what to do ▾
Intent + stimulus link + use of dancers
"Outline a choreographic intent for your solo, referring to the stimulus and use of one dancer."
Motif
2–3 marks
Tap to see what to do ▾
1 action + 1 space + 1 dynamic = 1 mark each
"Describe a motif… refer to actions, space and dynamics."
Motif Development
2–3 marks
Tap to see what to do ▾
"I would change [element] — instead of [X], I would [Y]."
"Describe two ways you could develop your motif."
Relationships
1–2 marks
Tap to see what to do ▾
Name it (e.g. unison, canon) + describe how it links to intent
"Name two relationships… describe one to support your intent."
Structure
1–2 marks
Tap to see what to do ▾
Name it (binary, ternary, rondo…) + how it supports intent
"Name a structuring device and describe how it supports your intent."
Performance Environment
1–2 marks
Tap to see what to do ▾
Name it (proscenium, end stage…) + how it supports intent
"Name a performance environment and describe how it supports your intent."
Spatial Content
2 marks
Tap to see what to do ▾
What + how it links to intent (levels, pathways, size, direction)
"Describe one way you could use spatial content to support your intent."
Aural Setting
1–2 marks
Tap to see what to do ▾
Name a type + 2 features that communicate intent
"Identify an aural setting and describe two ways it communicates your intent."
Beginning, Middle & End
3 marks
Tap to see what to do ▾
1 mark per section — what happens + how it communicates intent
"Describe the beginning, middle and end to communicate your intent."
Choreographic Device
2 marks
Tap to see what to do ▾
Describe what it looks like + how it links to intent
"Describe one way you could use contrast to support your intent."
4.1.5 Before You Start — Tick These Off
✅ Pre-Q1 Checklist — tap to tick
✓
Scan ALL the choreography questions before writing anything
✓
Put a ⭐ next to every question linked to your intent
✓
Count how many questions need an intent link
✓
Choose a simple, clear idea — one sentence maximum
✓
Check your intent works for the number of dancers given
✓
Write Q1 using the 3-part formula — spend about 3 minutes
📌 Revisit This — 6 Key Points
Section A split
Q1–~Q6 = made-up choreography (linked to stimulus). Q7+ = performance skills (not linked).
Q1 — always 3 marks
Intent + stimulus link + use of dancers. Always comes first.
5 stimulus types
Words/poem · Photograph · Prop/object · Natural world · Everyday/historical event
1–5 dancers
Solo, duet, trio, group or quintet — given in the question.
Keep intent simple
6–8 questions link back to Q1. One clear idea is far easier to apply than a complicated one.
Read before you write
Scan the linked questions first. Know what your Q1 needs to cover before you commit.
🧠 Quick Check
10 questions · Answer all · Then submit
1. How many marks is Question 1 worth?
2. Which part of Section A is linked to the unseen stimulus?
3. What is a choreographic intent?
4. How many parts does a full Q1 answer need?
5. Which of these is NOT a valid stimulus type?
6. What is the maximum number of dancers in the made-up dance?
7. What should you do BEFORE writing Q1?
8. Why keep your Q1 intent simple?
9. A motif question asks for actions, space AND dynamics. How many marks is each element worth?
10. A question asks you to "name a structuring device." Which is correct?
📸
Take a screenshot of your score and paste it into your ePortfolio so your teacher can see your progress.