As the name suggests, dramaturges originated in theater, where they continue to serve a variety of functions: conducting historical research...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
As the name suggests, dramaturges originated in theater, where they continue to serve a variety of functions: conducting historical research for directors, compiling character biographies for actors, and perhaps most importantly, helping writers of plays and musicals to hone the works' stories and characters. Performance scholar Susan Manning observes that many choreographers, like playwrights and musical theater writers, are concerned with storytelling and characterization. In fact, some choreographers describe the dances they create as expressions of narrative through movement; it is therefore unsurprising that ________
Which choice most logically completes the text?
dramaturges can have a profound impact on the artistic direction of plays and musicals.
choreographers developing dances with narrative elements frequently engage dramaturges to assist in refining those elements.
dances by choreographers who incorporate narrative elements are more accessible to audiences than dances by choreographers who do not.
some directors and actors rely too heavily on dramaturges to complete certain research tasks.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| As the name suggests, dramaturges originated in theater, where they continue to serve a variety of functions: conducting historical research for directors, compiling character biographies for actors, and perhaps most importantly, helping writers of plays and musicals to hone the works' stories and characters. |
|
| Performance scholar Susan Manning observes that many choreographers, like playwrights and musical theater writers, are concerned with storytelling and characterization. |
|
| In fact, some choreographers describe the dances they create as expressions of narrative through movement |
|
| it is therefore unsurprising that ______ |
|
Provide Passage Architecture
Main Point: Since choreographers share storytelling concerns with playwrights who use dramaturges, a logical connection between choreographers and dramaturges should follow.
Argument Flow: Background on dramaturges → Connection between choreographers and storytelling → Missing logical conclusion about choreographer-dramaturge relationship
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The logical flow should be: If dramaturges help playwrights with storytelling, and choreographers are also concerned with storytelling like playwrights, then choreographers would naturally seek dramaturge assistance for their narrative work.
dramaturges can have a profound impact on the artistic direction of plays and musicals.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses on dramaturges' general impact rather than specific choreographer connection
choreographers developing dances with narrative elements frequently engage dramaturges to assist in refining those elements.
✓ Correct
- States choreographers developing narrative dances engage dramaturges for assistance, completing the logical flow perfectly
dances by choreographers who incorporate narrative elements are more accessible to audiences than dances by choreographers who do not.
✗ Incorrect
- Introduces new concept of audience accessibility not discussed in passage
some directors and actors rely too heavily on dramaturges to complete certain research tasks.
✗ Incorrect
- Creates negative judgment and focuses on directors/actors rather than choreographers