The session focused on defining the research question and developing a viable premise for the thesis. This was an important session because it helped me understand that a research question needs to be focused, achievable and supported by research. A strong question should not be too broad or too vague, because the thesis needs to investigate one clear issue in enough depth.
We looked at the characteristics of a good research question. A research question should be focused, researchable, feasible, specific and complex enough to develop across a paper or thesis. It should address one main issue, be answerable through primary or secondary sources, and fit within the time and limits of the project.
This helped me think about my own FMP thesis topic. At this stage, a possible research question could be: How can stylised 3D animation represent the contrast between media narratives of war and the lived experience of civilians affected by conflict?
This question feels more focused because it connects directly to animation, visual storytelling and my practical FMP work. It also gives me space to research media framing, propaganda, animated documentary, trauma, memory and civilian experience.
The session also explained that a topic should be narrowed down through preliminary research. This means reading a small number of relevant academic sources first, identifying key debates, and then deciding which specific issue or angle has the strongest potential. For my project, I need to avoid trying to cover the whole subject of war, media and animation. Instead, I should focus on a smaller area, such as how animation can visualise emotional distance, mediated suffering or the gap between public narratives and private experience.
We also looked at academic writing support, including cohesion in writing and how to communicate opinion academically. The cohesion resource showed that each paragraph should have a clear purpose and should connect logically to the next one. It also explained how signposting helps guide the reader through the argument. This is useful for my thesis because I will need to organise my ideas clearly and make sure the reader understands how each section connects to the research question.
The resource on opinion in academic writing was also useful because my topic is emotional and politically sensitive. It reminded me that my own view can be part of the research, but it needs to be supported by context, academic sources and critical reflection. The slides explain that academic writing should use other voices to support an argument, show how views have developed, and present opinion as informed by academic research rather than personal reaction.
My next step is to keep testing my question against the sources I find, making sure it is focused, researchable and connected to my FMP animation. I also need to continue developing a clear academic writing style, where my argument is supported by research and structured in a way that is easy to follow.