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The Investigation component of the IB Dance syllabus focuses on research, analysis, and comparison. In this post, we’ll break down the assessment and share practical tips to help you succeed.
IB Dance Investigation
- At SL, the Investigation component accounts for 20% of the final grade. At HL, it accounts for 25%.
- SL students will spend around 30 hours on this component, while HL students will devote around 60 hours.
- Students will produce a formal written report analysing the similarities and differences between two dance styles drawn from different dance cultures and/or traditions, one familiar and one unfamiliar to the student.
- SL students can write up to 1500 words while HL students have 2500 words available.
The Investigation
Students must write an independent research report that compares two distinct dance cultures/traditions, selecting one that is personally familiar and one that is unfamiliar. The two chosen must be clearly different, not subgenres of the same tradition (e.g., hip-hop and breakdance would be too similar).
SL students write up to 1500 words while HL students can write up to 2000 words.
The investigation must include:
- A detailed historical context of both dance cultures/traditions.
- A comparison of each culture’s current context (social, cultural, political, spiritual, etc.) in relation to its history.
- An analysis of dance elements (use of body, space, time, dynamics).
- Discussion of intention, structure/form, subject matter, and accompanying elements (e.g., music, costumes, props).
- Correct use of dance-specific vocabulary and terminology.
It is also important that students refer to both primary and secondary sources in their investigation. This ensures that their work is well-supported and engages with various perspectives and evidence.
Additional HL requirements
HL students must include a comparative discussion of two short performance excerpts – one from each selected dance culture/tradition. This section should be a separate, clearly labeled part of the main report (before the conclusion), and it should:
- Focus on dance elements and/or movement development/arrangement.
- Demonstrate practical knowledge of both traditions, especially movement understanding.
- Be written from the perspective of an observer, not as the choreographer.
- Use excerpts that are short and detailed enough for in-depth analysis.
- It is important to keep in mind that students may not perform the dances used in this discussion for their internal performance assessment.
Tips on how to succeed
- Organise your work. Before you start writing, create a chart or table comparing origins, key movement styles, use of space, time, and dynamics, music and costume, social and cultural context (then vs. now). This will help you visualize similarities and differences and structure your argument more clearly.
- Be accurate. If you're analyzing video excerpts (especially for HL), pause and rewatch specific moments. Note where certain movement qualities (like weight, tempo, or energy) show up. Describe those exact moments in your analysis to go deeper than general impressions.
- Be aware of the wider perspective. Throughout your investigation, ask yourself: Why is this dance important to its culture – then and now? Make sure to think of the dance and its change over time with regards to cultural and social shifts. Think about what was happening politically, socially, or spiritually when this dance evolved? What values or beliefs does this dance express?
- Start with something familiar. Think about what you already know in terms of movement, history, or cultural relevance. This can help guide you in what to look for when exploring the unfamiliar culture, making it less overwhelming.
- Show personal engagement. Why did you choose these two cultures? Why does this dance matter to you personally or artistically? Include that in your intro early – it sets the tone for a more personal and reflective investigation that also shows critical thinking.
We hope you found this post helpful. For more useful materials associated with the IB check out the wide variety of IA, EE and TOK exemplars available at Clastify and other guides available on our blog.
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