1. What is Motif?
Created by S. Purnell

2. Definition
Dance Stage 6 Syllabus states; the earliest stage of development of a theme or composition; a movement starting point which gives the first element of form to the dance/work
Linda Ashley, author of Essential Guide to Dance states; “The central movement themes of dance which are repeat, developed and varied.”

3. But what does that mean??
“The shaped phrases of movement are known as motifs and they contain the style and images of the dance. They are repeated, developed and varied to give the overall shape and expression of the dance. The simplest way to use a motif is to repeat it exactly on and off during the dance. However, if there is too much of this simple repetition the dance comes like a simple routine rather than an interesting choreography” – Linda Ashley.

4. Therefore…
A MOTIF is a set phrase (8 counts) or movement/s that are repeated throughout a dance to enhance the idea or stimulus to the audience.

5. Stimulus – The Motion of a Ribbon
Sequence A (circles) = movement may be rolls, circular floor pattern, head roll etc –
Sequence B (spirals) = spins, chaines interweaving, Martha Graham technique floorwork
Sequence C (lines) = angular, rigid, structured
Photo by Samantha Siegel / CC BY-SA 3.0

6. https://youtu.be/suzEom1fXdg
Motif Development
You would then develop and manipulate the motifs to create interest throughout. For a more in depth explanation of development, watch the clip below;

7. TIP!
Your motifs should tell/show your markers what your dance is about. If you are struggling to know where to start, create at least 3 motifs; one for each sequence of your work.

8. USE YOUR STAGE 6 DANCE SYLLABUS
How do I create a motif?
USE YOUR STAGE 6 DANCE SYLLABUS
Photo by Manfred Werner - Tsui / CC BY-SA 3.0

9. The Criteria You are marked on three different areas;
Generating Movement
Organising the Movement
Organising the Dance
To be able to create a motif, you must generate movement first.

10. Generating Movement
As per your STAGE 6 Dance Syllabus, generating movement as it relates to dance composition relates to;
Finding stimulus material (visual, auditory, tactile, ideational and kinaesthetic)
Building your concept – intent or motivating factors
Once you have a clear idea you will start generating movement relevant to a concept/intent
This involves moving from the literal to the abstract
Through exploration and improvisation
Reflection and evaluation of the movement you create. Does it really link to the overall concept?
Select and refine the movement that you have created.

11. Types of Stimuli
Visual – the dance is derived from observations or perceptions. E.g. pictures, sculptures, objects, patterns, shapes, etc.
Auditory – the dance is derived from music, percussion, vocal and other sounds, spoken words, songs and poems.
Ideational – the dance is derived from ideas. E.g. a story, a blog, website
Tactile – the dance is derived from feeling or touch sensations. E.g. swirling, smooth, spreading, rough, sticky, hot, etc.
Kinaesthetic – the dance is about movements itself. E.g. a single movement or shape, or phrase which becomes a kinaesthetic from which the dance is derived. Eg, the way a bouncy ball moves or the way water flows etc.

12. Abstraction
The move from the representational to the symbolic; the process of removing movement from a particular or representative context and (by manipulating it with the elements of space, time and dynamics) creating a sequence or dance that retains the essence of the original - Dance Stage 6 syllabus, Board of Studies, 1999, p 78.
Abstraction means to take an idea or image or form and present to an audience its essential qualities … we abstract the natural movements of the human body by simplifying, enlarging and sometimes distorting the movements. The reason for doing this is to communicate something about those movements or about the character who is performing those movements. We also abstract the movements of animals or objects and make abstract movement to communicate themes and concepts, such as conflict, liberty or depression. - Dancing in Space, Wauchop D., 2004, p 112

13. Abstraction
When we are creating movement, we need to aim to be the black dot in the middle. We need to have an even balance of representational and symbolic. Without the essence of the original, the audience would not understand what the movement is about. Take a handshake for example, how could you abstract this movement and move down the line to symbolic?
Watch the clip below to see how you can abstract movement into different ways;

14. Organising the Movement
Motif – developed from your stimulus
Phrase – ‘a brief sequence of related movements that make up the smallest and simplest unit of dance form’
Motif into phrase – using 16 Ways to Manipulate a Motif

15. Creating your Motif
Now that you have an idea of what you want to communicate, use your stimulus to abstract your ideas and create key movement ideas/phrases. Continuously asking for feedback from a range of people, will help to narrow down exactly what you are trying to portray through you movement.

16. The Elements of Dance
Once you have developed a concept and thought about how you want to organise it into a formal structure, you need to make sure you have variation and contrast throughout. Before you start creating movement, plan the way in which you are going to use aspects of SPACE, TIME and DYNAMICS to clearly convey your intent to the audience.

18. Organising the Dance Sequencing – your phrases turn into sequences
Transition – you must have a reason to move into your next sequence of the dance
Repetition – use of repetition to communicate your idea clearly
variation and contrast – using The Elements of Dance
formal structures – see next slide
Unity – how does it all come together to communicate your idea? Does it flow?
appraisal and evaluation – seek feedback and critic your own work. Composition takes time. You will continuously be reworking the movement.
Organising the Dance

20. Remember the Process of Composition
Concept/Intent
Find stimulus for your idea
Formal structure
Create motifs for each sequence
Use 16 Ways to Manipulate a Motif to develop your phrases
Organise your dance through the use of Space, Time, Dynamics

21. Resources
Stage 6 Dance Syllabus - al/nesa/11-12/stage-6-learning-areas/stage-6- creative-arts/dance-syllabus