The document provides guidance for preparing for an exam on Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT). It includes sample exam questions, advice on how to structure answers, and what content should be covered in responses. Specific topics that need more focus are highlighted, like the origins of AAADT and the works/styles presented in its early performances. The document also provides grade boundaries, time allocated per section, and tips for effective exam preparation and technique.

2. Looking at what you need to know to
answer the exam paper
 Considering how to approach the exam
paper
 Analysing the essay questions and how
to answer them
 Looking at example essays


3. 
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


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Issues surrounding the creation of the company
Subject Matter of the works (including dates)
Stylistic features of AAADT (characteristics of the style
reflecting the range of the genre)
Two practitioners of AAADT and their backgrounds,
influences and techniques
Contribution and impact of the practitioners on the
company including their works and the importance
of their work in the development of the genre
History and context of the company; how the context
influenced the development of the company and
how the company reflected and challenged society

5. 
Section A – you will have the choice to
answer one essay question out of two in
relation to AAADT

Section B – you will have the choice to
answer one essay question out of two in
relation to Zero Degrees.

6. 
Section A – This section is worth 40 marks.
You are advised to spend 45 minutes on
Section A.

Section B – This section is worth 40 marks.
You are advised to spend 45 minutes on
Section B.
I am going to focus on AAADT; if you would
like exam prep on Zero Degrees, please
speak to Helen on Thursday.

7. Grade
Points you need to get in
order to reach this grade
A*
51
A
47
B
42
C
37
D
32
E
27
U
Up to 26

8. 
Siobhan, your knowledge of the origins of AAADT is severely
lacking. The information your provide is either irrelevant,
extremely vague or completely incorrect. There is no way
that at A2 you will be able to achieve a decent mark unless
you better your understanding on the company and Ailey.

Cherilyn, you were able to make some relevant points but did
not write enough information, and some of it was not in
enough detail. You did not talk about the dance styles that
the company exhibited in the early performances, you didn’t
talk about the early works that debuted, you did not talk
about the dancers that were part of the company or Ailey’s
influence/s or background….. We have covered all of this!

9. 
You need to remember to use the P.E.A. system when
answering questions; Point, Evidence, Analysis

You need to arrive to your exam on time so you are
not rushed and disorientated. Both of you arrive at
the start of the exam or late, you were not on time.

You need to consider the key words in the question
so you know what you are expected to do.

You need to be completing regular homework in
your theory prep book twice a week from now on.

10. When you plan your answers, you jot
down what you need to include in your
answer and what order you will talk
about them in.
 This way you will not forget to include
something and the answer will be well
structured.
 This also helps to make sure you stick to
what the question is asking as when you
write freely it is very easy to go off-topic.


11. Examine the range of factors which affected and
contributed to the creation of Alvin Ailey American
Dance Theater
Compare the contribution of two practitioners
you have studied to the development of Alvin
Ailey American Dance Theater

12. Discuss the subject matter used in the choreography of the
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater 1958 to the current time.
You should refer to examples from the works of at least two
practitioners to show how the subject matter is
communicated.
Discuss the influences which affected the development of the
movement styles of two practitioners from Alvin Ailey
American Dance Theater (1958 - current)