def METHOD_NAME(self, element_id=None, total=False, xyz_cid0=None):
    """
    Gets the area of the CQUAD4s on a total or per element basis.
    Parameters
    ----------
    element_id : (N, ) int ndarray; (default=None -> all)
        the elements to consider
    :param total: should the area be summed (default=False)
    :param node_ids:   the GRIDs as an (N, )  NDARRAY (or None)
    :param grids_cid0: the GRIDs as an (N, 3) NDARRAY in CORD2R=0 (or None)
    .. note:: If node_ids is None, the positions of all the GRID cards
              must be calculated
    """
    _mass, area, _normal = self._mass_area_normal(element_id=element_id,
        xyz_cid0=xyz_cid0,
        calculate_mass=False, calculate_area=True,
        calculate_normal=False)
    if total:
        return area.sum()
    else:
        return area