Navigating Citations in a Dance Studies Thesis

[EricMorgan8f6d6024]

In navigating citations for my Dance Studies thesis on embodied cognition and movement, I find myself grappling with the challenge of accurately documenting movement in written form.

As an expressive and analytical researcher in the realm of dance, ensuring that citations reflect the embodied nature of performance analysis becomes crucial. How can I effectively capture the essence of movement in academic writing without losing its depth and nuance?

Embodied research presents unique challenges in scholarly documentation

 

[LarryNolk]

The problem is that academic citation formats were designed for static texts, not live performance.

Here's what's worked for me:

Treat the choreography as a primary source. Cite it like you would a book or article, but include performance details. Example (Chicago style):
Choreographer First Last, Title of Work, choreographed by Last, featuring Dancer Names, premiered at Venue, City, Date.

Use video documentation as a secondary source. If you're analyzing a specific recording, cite that as a film.

Describe, describe, describe. You can't assume your reader has seen the work. Write detailed movement descriptions that capture quality, dynamics, spatial patterns.

Consider including a video appendix if your university allows it. Some theses now accept supplementary digital materials.

Also, look at how scholars like Susan Leigh Foster or André Lepecki handle this.