Prof. Richard F. Johnson
Departments of English & Humanities

Guidelines for Extra Credit Reviews of Cultural Events

Classical Music Concert:

Focus on one or two pieces in details. Discuss the following questions:

  1. When was the piece written? If dates aren't given in the program, make an educated guess and explain your reasoning.
  2. What combination of instruments was used?
  3. What pattern, if any, did the movements follow?
  4. For what kind of space and audience was this piece orginally intended? What leads you to this conclusion?
  5. If there was a soloist, what instrument was featured in the solo? What was the relation between solo instrument and the rest of the group? ( A conversation? Soloist stating theme, then becoming part of the group? Solo instrument with other instruments as accompaniment?)

Theater:

Don't retell the plot of the narrative or critique the performance of the actors (except where this seems to have interfered with an appreciation of the production).

  1. Consider the set. Was it realistic? Surrealistic? Abstract? How did it contribute to (or detract from) the overall impact of the play? Be specific in your answer.
  2. Consider the lighting. What colors, if any, were used? What effect did the lights have on your understanding of the show? How was lighting used to create mood?
  3. Consider the sound effects. Was sound used? How? What effect did it have on your understanding of the show?
  4. Describe the overall visual style and impact of the production. How did these aspects of the production reinforce (or weaken) the theme of the play?

An Art Gallery or Museum:

  1. Select two works that you can compare and contrast.
  2. Describe each object as carefully as possible, using all the skills of description we have discussed. Describe the medium, technique, period, subject, and treatment of the subject.
  3. Explain the reasons you selected these two works. What connections did you find?
  4. If you could take any one work from the gallery or museum home, what would it be and why?

Dance:

General questions:

  1. What was the general style of the performance?
    1. Formal Ballet: narrative, graceful, symmetrical movements stressing leaps and en pointe toe work. The ballerina is the dominant figure of the performance.
    2. Modern Dance: angular, asymmetric movements that are not necessarily narrative and may be closer to the floor. Male and female dancers may be equal in importance.
    3. Mixture of Styles: explain the mixture in relation to the program.
  2. Did all the elements (movement, music, costume, lighting, scenery) work together to produce a particular effect? Was there any element taht did not seem to contribute, or even detract, from that effect?

Specific questions:

  1. What was the style of the dance?
  2. What was the story, emotion, or theme of the performance? Consider the title of the piece and any hints you might find in the program for the performance.
  3. How did the costumes, scenery, and lighting contribute to the overal effect of the performance? Describe very specifically all aspects of the performance.
  4. How did the choreography relate to the music? Was it graceful and flowing or syncopated and "jagged,: forceful and assertive or tender and delicate? Be as specific as possible in describing these details.

Lecture:

Content:

  1. What was the lecturer's main point?
  2. How did s/he support his point?
  3. Briefly summarize the lecturer's argument.
  4. Write a response to the argument and the lecturer's presentation of his point.
  5. Do you agree or disagree with his/her argument?
  6. Are you persuaded by the lecturer's argument?
  7. If so, why? If not, why not?

Performance:

  1. Did the lecturer use any visual or auditory aids to make his presentation more persuasive?
  2. If so, how did he use them? If not, how might he have used such aids?

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