Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Arts and Humanities

Debunking Creativity Myths

Common Misconceptions

1. The Eureka Myth

New ideas sometimes appear as a flash of insight, but this is often the culmination of prior thought and effort.

2. The Breed Myth

Creative ability isn't solely determined by genetics; it's a skill that can be developed.

3. The Originality Myth

Creative ideas often build upon existing knowledge and collaborations.

4. The Expert Myth

While expertise is valuable, relying solely on experts can limit diverse perspectives.

5. The Incentive Myth

Larger incentives don't always lead to increased innovation and can sometimes be counterproductive.

6. The Lone Creator Myth

Innovation is often a collaborative process, not the work of a single individual.

7. The Brainstorming Myth

Unstructured brainstorming... Continue reading "Debunking Creativity Myths: Fostering True Innovation" »

Storytelling Definitions

• Plot: The main sequence of events in a play, novel, or film.
• Biographical sketch: An account dealing with a particular person's life.
• Fake: A person or thing that is not genuine.
• Myth: A widely held but false belief.
• Tall story: An account that is fanciful and difficult to believe.
• Fairy tale: A story, typically of a magical or idealized nature, often for children.
• Legend: A traditional story popularly regarded as historical but not authenticated.
• Anecdote: A short, entertaining story about a real incident or person.
• Punch line: The culmination of a joke or story, providing the humor or climax.
• Joke: Something said or done to cause amusement.

Common Storytelling Expressions

• Tell a white lie
• Spreading rumors
• Be a bit of a gossip
• Prone

Essential English-Spanish Music Vocabulary

Musical Terms

• Beat: ritmo
• Tone deaf: no tener oído musical / desafinado
• Jingle: canción publicitaria / melodía pegadiza
• Musical score: partitura (sheet music) / banda sonora (soundtrack)
• Syllabus: programa de estudios / temario
• Chords: acordes
• Musical masterpiece: obra maestra musical
• Lyrics: letra (de canción)
• Recall: recordar
• Tunes: melodías / canciones
• Background music: música de fondo
• Airplay: emisión en radio / difusión radial
• In tune: afinado
• Rhythm: ritmo
• Out of tune: desafinado / fuera de tono
• Catchy tune: melodía pegadiza
• Bass: bajo
• Live performance: actuación en vivo / directo
• Choir: coro
• Recorded: grabado
• Deafening: ensordecedor
• Playable: interpretable / tocable
• Gig: concierto / bolo
• Vocals: voz / parte

The Importance of Images in Multimodal Texts

The image that appears in multimodal texts is a very important element. A photograph, for instance of a [specific subject, e.g., woman], is often used to bring a sense of immediacy and reality to the text, fostering interaction with the reader. This image might be very large and highlighted prominently, perhaps on the left side. The subject depicted often provides or reflects [specific meaning or emotion].

Information Value and Reading Path

We typically read information value from left to right and from top to bottom.

Salience: Attracting the Reader's Attention

Regarding salience, different elements of a composition try to catch the reader’s attention. Examples include:

• The subject's face
• A message on

Architectural History: Renaissance, Gothic, and Romanesque Periods

26. Notre Dame Church Exhibits the Following Gothic Characteristics:

a. All of the above

b. Rose windows

27. The Renaissance Period of Architecture Began in What Country?

a. Italy

28. What Invention Was Important to the Renaissance?

a. Printing

29. Pisa Campanile:

a. Has a 13ft inclination

30. The Inclination in Pisa Campanile is Caused by:

a. Differential settlement (subsidence) in the foundation

31. Externally, Hagia Sophia Can Be Described by:

a. Bearing walls

32. The Renaissance in Architecture is Expressed by:

a. A renewed interest in the classical Roman and Greek forms and proportion

33. The Portico at the West “Portico de la Gloria” in the Spanish Romanesque Church Santiago de Compostela

Genres

Musical, Action, Romantic Comedy, Western, Science Fiction, Drama, Animation, Horror, Futuristic, Humorous

Adjectives

Others

Based on a novel: basada en una novela.

Based on a true story: basada en una historia real.

A hit: éxito de taquilla.

Cast: reparto  (de actores).

Costumes: vestuario.

Direct: dirigir.

Get rave reviews: conseguir críticas muy favorables.

Last: durar.

Main character: protagonista, personaje principal.

Nominate for an Oscar: nominar a un Óscar.... Continue reading "Film Terminology: Genres, Adjectives, and More" »

Camera Work

Camera work involves various techniques to convey meaning and emotions. These include:

• High/Low Angles: Used to show dominance or inferiority.
• Point of View/Over the Shoulder Shots: Encourage audience identification with the character.
• Camera Movement: Suggests character's state, such as fast-paced or anxious.
• Two Shots: Emphasize the relationship between characters.
• Zoom: For emphasis.
• Close-Ups: Capture emotions and reactions.
• Long/Establishing Shots: Show setting and costumes.

Common camera shots include establishing shot, master shot, close-up, mid-shot, long shot, wide shot, two-shot, aerial shot, point of view shot, over the shoulder shot, high angle, low angle, canted angle.

Camera movements include pan, tilt, track, crane, Steadicam,... Continue reading "Film Techniques Glossary" »

Tragic Climax: Romeo and Juliet's Final Moments

This film clip depicts the heart-wrenching final moments of two young lovers. The narrative unfolds as Juliet lies in bed, feigning her death. Overcome with grief, Romeo decides to poison himself to end his suffering.

Subsequently, when Juliet awakens from her feigned death and discovers her beloved Romeo dead, she tragically takes her own life by stabbing herself.

Audio Cues Enhancing the Tragedy

The sound design plays a crucial role in conveying the emotional intensity of the scene:

• Initially, we hear Romeo's cries and the sounds of him caressing and kissing his beloved Juliet.
• As Romeo ingests the poison, sounds of his pain are audible.
• Finally, when Juliet awakens to find Romeo dead, her cries of