Dance is a form of communication that uses elements like time, space, and force to convey meaning. There are different choreographic forms including theme and variations, rondo, and narrative structures. Styles of dance such as ballet, tap, jazz, and modern each have their own characteristics including techniques, terminology, costumes, and origins.

1. The Elements of Dance

2. Dance is a way of knowing and communicating. All societies use dance to communicate on both personal and cultural levels and to meet physical and spiritual needs. Dance, as with all the arts, has its own language. We need to learn this language in order to fully understand and appreciate the world of Dance.

3. The Language of Dance Elements : Time , Space and Force Choreographic Forms : Theme and Variations , Rondo and Narrative Styles: (characteristics of) Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Modern

4. Elements TIME: The relationship of one movement or part of a movement to another. Includes pulse, speed (or tempo), duration, rhythm, and phrases. Pulse : the ongoing underlying beat Tempo: The speed with which a movement is performed Rhythm : a flow of sound or movement having regular accented beats; a movement or activity in which some action repeats regularly; patterns made by arranging long and short sounds or strong and light sounds Duration: the length of time a movement lasts: a long time, short time or something in between Syncopation: a temporary accenting of a normally weak beat in music to vary the rhythm Phrasing: a grouping and articulation of a group of notes Accent: a movement or shape performed in such a way as to give emphasis.

7. Choreographic Forms Rondo: a dance structure with three or more themes where one theme is repeated. ABACAD Theme : the basic idea of the play, which the author dramatizes through the conflict of characters. Narrative: choreographic structure that follows a specific story line to convey specific information through a dance Variations: contrasts in the use of the dance elements, repetitions . Choreography is the art of arranging dances