Some Ballet Vocabulary

hi! I have a question, how do I write the movements of a ballerina? I'm writing a novel and now I'm at the part where my protagonist is dancing ballet for an audience in the theater. Could you help me with how to write her movements? I'm in doubt about how to write this

Some Ballet Vocabulary

Adagio: “Slow tempo.” In ballet, a tempo in which the dancer moves slowly and gracefully.

Allegro: “Brisk tempo.” In ballet, a tempo in which the dancer moves briskly and excitedly.

Allongé: “Elongated.” An adjective used to describe poses that are stretched and elongated, like an arabesque.

Arabesque: A pose in which the dancer stands on one leg—either straight or demi-plié, and either flat-footed or en pointe—while extending the other leg straight behind at a right angle. The shoulders are square with the arms held to create a long line from fingertips to toes.

Arriére: "Backwards." A move that indicates backwards movement or motion.

Ballón: “To bounce.” A light jump. Used to indicate the delicacy of the movement or jump.

Chaseé: To slide.

Elevé: A rise upward onto the toes.

En l’air: "In the air." Indicates a movement or leg position that is held in the air.

Fondu: To melt (a melting action).

Frappé: To strike (like lighting a match on the floor).

Glissade: To glide.

Jeté: To throw.

Pas de deux: A “dance for two,” or duet, in classical ballet.

Petit saut: A small jump.

Pirouette: A complete turn of the body on one foot, either turning inward or outward, with the body centered over the supporting leg, the arms propelling the turn but remaining stationary during the turn, and the eyes “spotting” a fixed point while the head quickly turns.

Promenade: A slow pivot of the body while standing on one leg.

Rèvèrence: “Bow”. Traditional port-de-bras and port-de-corps showing respect and gratitude to the ballet master or audience.

Tournant: “Turn.” A term paired with a movement to indicate a body turn.

Variation: A solo in classical ballet.

Although ballet actually began in Italy, it was formalized in France in the 17th century. Ballet terminology has remained largely in the French language. Ballet dancers across the world learn and can communicate with this universal ballet vocabulary.

Sources: 1 2 3 4 ⚜ More: Word Lists ⚜ Dance

Hope this helps with your writing! If I wasn't able to include the right words you need, you can go through the sources. Still, remember your readers when describing the scene — perhaps some of them might not be familiar with these terminologies.

my thoughts upon completing Flight of Fancy for the 2648134th time

1. Penelope (under the Black Baron disguise) serves as a pretty solid combat match for Sly. Bentley over binocucom claims the Black Baron has trained for 10 years as a boxer. Why is Penelope thus regarded as so useless out on the field by herself, and only used for her RC car, when she’s actually a decent fighter, especially when you count this was all made more difficult underneath a massive costume?

2. Penelope mentions in a cutscene that she used the Black Baron disguise because of strict age requirements. The age requirement would probably be either 18 or 21, considering the ruthless and unforgiving nature of dogfighting. Does this mean she’s still a minor when Bentley is dating her? (Or, has she been using the Black Baron as a persona for a few years now?). Still…..d r a m a .

Bentley I thought you had more morals than this

Murray wasn’t kidding when he said you’ve got more devious over the years

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jenna12381

11 months ago

Just another “Platonic OT3” scene of these guys living their “normal” lives post Sly 3.

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jenna12381

11 months ago

“I feel like we tend to forget that even if the persona was fake, Penelope-as-the-Baron was still totally able to fight Sly on the side of a moving airplane without much effort and punch hard enough to throw him back. How the heck did she get kidnapped? I feel like she could have coldcocked Lefwee in three seconds, looted his wallet, and bailed.“

Confessed by: Anonymous

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jenna12381

11 months ago

bouncing penelopes because………………. penelope

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jenna12381

7 months ago

Dialogue Prompts for Self-Doubt

"I don’t know why I even bother. I try so hard, and it’s still not good enough."

"What if I’m just not meant to do this? Like… maybe I’m not the right person for it."

"I keep letting people down, and I’m starting to think that’s all I’m good at."

"You ever feel like no matter what you do, it’s never enough? Like you’re stuck in this endless loop of failing?"

"I’m so scared of messing up again. I can’t handle another failure."

"I feel like a total imposter, like any second, people are going to realize I don’t belong here."

"Why would anyone choose me? I mean, there are so many better people out there."

"No matter how hard I try, I never seem to get it right. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong."

"Sometimes I wonder if I’m even worth all the effort. Like, what if I’m not?"

"I don’t think I can keep going. This is too much, and I’m not strong enough for it anymore."

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jenna12381

11 months ago

Sly Cooper Gijinkas Bc Brain Rot Is Real

sly cooper gijinkas bc brain rot is real

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jenna12381

5 months ago

bring back tumblr ask culture let me. bother you with questions and statements

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jenna12381

4 months ago

Shining Friendship

“The peacemaker among monsters.”

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jenna12381

6 months ago

Writing Dialogue: Ways of Saying No

When your characters are saying no without saying "no"

INARTICULATE

APOLOGETIC/UNCOMFORTABLE

Alas ⚜ Can’t help ⚜ Do me a favour ⚜ Give over

I’m afraid… ⚜ Sorry ⚜ Unfortunately

EVASIVE

Any other time… ⚜ Ask Arthur ⚜ ‘Bye ⚜ Must run

Not right now ⚜ Talk to me later ⚜ The thing is… ⚜ What a pity

DEFINITE (with negative word)

No can do ⚜ No chance ⚜ No go ⚜ No way (José)

Never (in a thousand years) ⚜ Not in a million years

Not on your nelly ⚜ I should say not

DEFINITE (no negative word)

Are you serious? ⚜ Drop dead ⚜ Fat chance

Get lost / knotted / stuffed… ⚜ God forbid ⚜ Hard cheese

I’d rather die ⚜ Impossible ⚜ Over my dead body

Push off ⚜ See you in hell first ⚜ Tough titty

Unthinkable ⚜ You must be joking ⚜ You’ve had it

EXCUSES

If it were up to me ⚜ I’m right out ⚜ It’s more than my job’s worth

It’s not in my hands ⚜ Love to, but…

EUPHEMISMS/CLICHÉS

Chance would be a fine thing ⚜ Closed for business

Correspondence closed ⚜ If wish were father to the deed

Je regrette, mais… ⚜ Not my department ⚜ Not my remit

The editor regrets… ⚜ The umpire’s decision is final

Would that it were possible

Parents begin to teach their children to read between the lines in this way at an early age. Here are some of the negative responses used by parents to a request by their 4-year-old for another biscuit.

You’ve just had one ⚜ It’ll be tea time soon

Ask Daddy ⚜ I haven’t heard the magic word yet

Source ⚜ Word Lists ⚜ Notes & References

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