Writing a research paper on dance involves investigating various dance forms, individuals, companies, or other dance-related topics. When starting your research paper, it is important to choose an interesting and manageable topic that can be supported with scholarly sources. Some potential topics for a dance research paper include:
The history and evolution of a specific dance style like ballet, modern, jazz, tap, hip hop, etc. You could focus on how the style developed over time or trace its origins and key influences.
Comparing and contrasting two different dance styles – how they are similar or different in terms of technique, music/rhythm, costumes, subject matter of works, cultural influences, etc.
A famous choreographer like George Balanchine, Martha Graham, Alvin Ailey, or Merce Cunningham. You could analyze their choreographic style, career highlights, major works, or influence on other choreographers.
A prominent dance company from America, Europe, Asia, or elsewhere. Research the company’s history, founding dancer/choreographer, repertoire of works, touring history, and cultural impact. For example, you may look at New York City Ballet, The Royal Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, or the Nrityagram dance village in India.
The role of dance in a particular culture or country. You could examine traditional folk dances and their meanings/functions or how dance styles have developed and been influenced over time by politics, religion, art movements, or other cultural factors.
A specific dance work or choreographer’s magnum opus. Analyze the choreography, music, movement vocabulary, themes/story, costumes, sets, and critical reception of the work. Discuss why it was groundbreaking or influential.
How dance is depicted or used in film, theatre, or other performance media. You may analyze musicals like “West Side Story” or “Chicago” or films like “Billy Elliot” or “Black Swan” that prominently feature dance.
Interdisciplinary collaborations between dance and another art form like music, visual art, literature, or architecture. Discuss notable collaborators and how the art forms intersected in specific works.
Social or political issues addressed through dance like protest movements, representations of gender/sexuality, cultural appropriation concerns, or access/funding for the arts.
After selecting your topic, the next step is conducting research. Visit your university library’s databases and search for scholarly books and peer-reviewed journal articles about your topic. Make sure to take detailed notes, summarizing key points and properly citing sources using your chosen format like Chicago or MLA. Consulting primary source material like choreographers’ journals, dance reviews from the time period, or archival footage can also provide valuable insights. If your topic lends itself to it, consider conducting interviews with dance experts, artists, or critics as well. Once you complete the research process, you will synthesize and analyze the information gathered to write an insightful paper with a clear thesis statement and structure.
The introduction is important to set up your paper’s focus and scope. Clearly state the research question or issue being examined and provide a brief overview of what will be covered. Discuss the topic’s significance or reasons for importance. For the body paragraphs, break down and develop your thesis into several categories or sub-topics. Present your evidence and analysis cohesively through topic sentences followed by specific quotes, facts and examples from research. Make sure to comment on the significance of each point in relation to your thesis. In the conclusion, reiterate your key findings, how the research enhances understanding of the topic, and any implications or new questions raised. Follow the stylistic guidelines of your selected citation style consistently throughout. Be sure to proofread carefully for grammar, syntax errors, citations, and flow before final submission.
When writing specifically about dance as an art form, it is crucial not to focus solely on plot summaries, costumes, or personalities. Analyze for deeper discussions of choreography, compositional devices, use of space, rhythm and timing, relationship between music and movement, symbolic or expressive aspects of the works studied. Describe dances and excerpts through writing as effectively as possible using correct dance vocabulary regarding positions, steps, gestures etc. Explain their function or meaning rather than just listing them. Consider discussing embodiment perspectives or choreographic intent versus critical interpretation as well. Overall, crafting an insightful, thoroughly researched paper following guidelines demonstrates understanding and mastery of your chosen dance topic.