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Basic 4 · Creative Arts · Appreciating and Appraising

Guidelines for Appraising Performances

In this topic you will develop guidelines for appraising and appreciating performances.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

  • Develop a set of appraisal criteria
  • Use a rating scale
  • Give balanced feedback on performances

What you already know

  • Planning a performance

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Strand
Performing Arts
Sub-strand
Appreciating and Appraising
Indicator
B4.2.4.6.1 – Develop guidelines for appraising and appreciating own and others' performing artworks

Introduction

At a music competition, judges use criteria to give marks. Your class will create its own guidelines for judging performances fairly.

1. Appraisal Criteria

Criteria for performances
CriterionWhat to look for
techniquecorrect singing, drumming or dance steps
creativityoriginal ideas
teamworkperformers working together
costume and propssuitable and well made
messageclear meaning or story
stage presenceconfidence and audience contact

2. Rating Scale

Rating scale
ScoreMeaning
4excellent
3good
2fair
1needs improvement
A score sheet with criteria and a 1–4 rating scale
Figure 1: Performance score sheet Make your own score sheet.Illustration: Sirbus

3. Balanced Feedback

Give one strength, one area to improve and one encouragement.

Example: "Your drumming was strong. The dancers should practise turning together. Well done!"

New words

appraise
To judge the quality of something.
criterion
A standard used for judging (plural: criteria).
rating scale
Numbers used to score quality.
technique
Skill in doing something.
stage presence
Confidence on stage.
balanced
Fair, including good points and improvements.

Summary

  • Criteria help judge performances fairly.
  • A rating scale gives scores from 1 to 4.
  • Feedback should include strengths and improvements.
  • Fair judging encourages performers.

Class activity: Judge Panel

  1. Use your score sheet to judge another group's performance.
  2. Add scores and write comments.
  3. Present your balanced feedback.

You need: Locally made drum, Gourd shaker, Kente cloth sample

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. A standard used for judging is a…

    • A. Criterion
    • B. Costume
    • C. Chorus
    • D. Venue
    Show answer
    Answer: CriterionThat is a criterion.

  2. 2. Confidence on stage is called…

    • A. Stage presence
    • B. Technique
    • C. Rhythm
    • D. Contrast
    Show answer
    Answer: Stage presenceThat is stage presence.

  3. 3. On the rating scale, 4 means…

    • A. Excellent
    • B. Poor
    • C. Fair
    • D. Absent
    Show answer
    Answer: Excellent4 is the top score.

  4. 4. Balanced feedback includes strengths and improvements.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TrueIt is fair.

  5. 5. Judges should give marks without criteria.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: FalseCriteria make judging fair.

  6. 6. Skill in doing something is ______.

    Show answer
    Answer: techniqueThat is technique.

  7. 7. Name four criteria for judging a performance.

    Show answer
    Answer: Any four: technique, creativity, teamwork, costume, message, stage presence.These are criteria.

  8. 8. Why should feedback include an encouragement?

    Show answer
    Answer: It motivates performers to keep improving.Encouragement builds confidence.

Homework

  1. Judge a performance on TV using your criteria.