This week’s theory session focused on understanding the formal requirements for the thesis proposal and how to prepare the written submission correctly. We looked at the main proposal structure, including the research title or question, draft introduction, keywords searched, research design methods, draft literature review, chapter outline, draft chapter, and indicative bibliography.
The session helped me understand that the proposal needs to clearly explain what the research will investigate and how it will be developed. For my own FMP, this means refining my idea around doomscrolling, desensitisation, media overload, political performance, and the way violence becomes part of an endless digital feed. Instead of only describing the story visually, I need to connect the project to a clear research question and explain how the practical animation will support the written investigation.
We also discussed the importance of academic writing and referencing. The guidelines explained that the thesis should use peer-reviewed books and scholarly articles where possible, rather than relying on personal blogs, reviews, or YouTube videos. This is important for my project because I need to support my ideas about media, war, animation, and desensitisation with reliable academic sources.
Another important part of the session was learning how to use Harvard referencing correctly. Any quotation, paraphrase, film, television programme, image, or online source needs to be referenced clearly in the text and included in the final bibliography. This helped me realise that I need to keep track of every source I use from the beginning, especially visual references, films, academic texts, and online assets that may influence the project.
Outside of class, I started thinking more about which sources could support my proposal. I looked at key books related to film theory and animation, including texts on animation history, animation authorship, and film theory through the senses. These sources could help me connect my practical animation choices to academic ideas about visual storytelling, spectatorship, emotion, and the relationship between media and the viewer.
At this stage, my next step is to continue refining my research question and begin organising the proposal into the required sections. I also need to expand my bibliography, collect stronger academic sources, and think carefully about how my practical work in Blender can become part of the research design. This week made the proposal feel more structured and helped me understand what needs to be prepared before submission.