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      A certain style: style features

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can apply a range of style features to adapt my work.

      Key learning points

      1. Move: accurately identifying and applying style features enables choreography to represent other times or places.
      2. Move: identifying and applying the necessary expressive and physical skills improves the overall performance.
      3. Think: identifying style features involves evaluating the different qualities of various dance styles.
      4. Feel: reproducing style features requires integrity to ensure authenticity.
      5. Connect: making changes to a motif involves discussion, planning and cooperation.

      Keywords

      • Style features - distinguishing traits or characteristics

      • Expressive skill - performance qualities made up of musicality, focus, projection, extension, facial expression

      • Physical skill - technical qualities made up of balance, control, coordination, strength, stamina, flexibility, placement, alignment and posture

      Common misconception

      It is acceptable to copy the work of others in dance.

      Copying the work of others and passing it off as your own is known as plagiarism. However, identifying features that are common to a dance style and applying it to your choreography is different, but should remain respectful to the original source.

      Teacher tip

      Access clips of different dance styles to illustrate their variety and demonstrate different features.

      Equipment

      suggested music, mini-whiteboards/paper

      Content guidance

      Risk assessment required - physical activity

      Supervision

      Adult supervision required

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      In dance, which of the following is an example of motif variation?

      change of music
      change of costume
      Correct answer: change of direction

      Q2.
      Name the missing dance word - actions, space, dynamics and?

      Correct answer: relationships
      timing
      music

      Q3.
      In dance, what is it called when the order of the actions in a motif is changed?

      editing
      Correct answer: development
      revival

      Q4.
      What is meant by the term ‘retrograde’?

      Correct answer: moving backwards
      old fashioned
      performed badly

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      In dance, what do we call the distinguishing traits or characteristics?

      Correct answer: style features
      attributes
      elements

      Q2.
      What is a dance style with a particular set of characteristics known as?

      Correct answer: a genre
      a group
      a category

      Q3.
      Which of the following is not an expressive skill?

      focus
      extension
      Correct answer: balance

      Q4.
      What is it called when you pass off the work of others as your own?

      pessimism
      Correct answer: plagiarism
      pragmatism

      To help you plan your 9 physical education lesson on: A certain style: style features, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...