Category: Theory (term 2)

The session continued with individual online tutorials. In preparation, we were asked to identify our research area, think about possible questions or problems, write a short statement about the purpose of the study, and find at least five academic publications that could support the research.

A key resource this week focused on quoting, paraphrasing and summarising. This was useful because the draft literature review requires careful use of sources. The resource explains that quoting, paraphrasing and summarising are different ways of using evidence from other writers, but that every quote, paraphrase or summary must be cited to avoid plagiarism. It also explains that direct quotations should be used sparingly at university level, while paraphrasing is usually preferred because it shows understanding of the source.

This is important for my literature review because I need to show that I understand the academic ideas I am using. Instead of filling the review with direct quotes, I should explain the arguments in my own words and connect them clearly to my research question. For example, if I use sources about media framing, propaganda or animated documentary, I need to explain how each source helps me understand the relationship between visual storytelling, war narratives and civilian experience.

We also looked at UAL standards and ethics. This reminded me that research must be conducted responsibly, especially when dealing with sensitive subjects. My topic includes war, suffering and civilian experience, so I need to be careful not to use shocking imagery or emotional language without critical purpose. The research should be respectful, academically grounded and aware of the ethical issues involved in representing real-world conflict.

Another useful resource was the revised proposal structure. It explains that the research proposal should include an introduction, background significance, literature review, research design and methods, suppositions and implications, conclusion, and bibliography. The introduction should explain what the research is about, state the research question and outline how the writing will answer it. This helped me understand how my draft literature review will eventually become part of a larger proposal structure.

The revised proposal structure also explains that the literature review should not simply list sources. It should be selective and should synthesise and evaluate how the research contributes to the discussion. For my project, this means I need to organise my sources into clear themes, such as media language, animated documentary, memory and trauma, and the use of stylised 3D animation to communicate emotional distance.

The aim of the session was to prepare for the draft literature review and to make sure each research topic was becoming more focused and achievable.

We were asked to identify our research area, any possible questions or problems we might investigate, and a short statement explaining the purpose and intentions of the study. We were also asked to find at least five relevant academic publications that could support the research. This helped me understand that I need to move from a general idea into a clearer academic direction.

A key resource from this week was the guideline document for the draft literature review. It explains that the assignment is due on Friday 17th April 2026 and that it is an important step towards building the proposal for next semester. The task is to test the research topic by developing a research question, a short outline of the research objective, a draft literature review and a bibliography of books or journals reviewed and cited.

For my own FMP thesis, my current area of interest is how stylised 3D animation can represent the contrast between media narratives of war and the lived experience of civilians affected by conflict. At this stage, I need to make sure this question is not too broad. I can begin by focusing on how animation uses visual storytelling, metaphor, atmosphere and character perspective to communicate emotional distance or civilian experience.

A possible short purpose statement for my research could be: This study investigates how stylised 3D animation can represent the contrast between mediated narratives of war and the lived experience of civilians. It aims to explore how visual storytelling, animated documentary, memory and media framing can inform the development of an FMP animation that communicates emotional distance and civilian perspective.

The guidelines also reminded us that the draft literature review must follow an academic approach. This includes using Harvard referencing, avoiding plagiarism through careful quotation and paraphrasing, using recognised academic sources, and formatting the work in 12 point Times New Roman or Arial with 1.5 or 2.0 line spacing.

Another important point was that the literature review should not include unreliable sources such as personal blogs, film reviews or YouTube references unless they are being used for a very specific reason. Instead, the research should be grounded in peer-reviewed books, journals and scholarly articles. This is important for my topic because I am dealing with serious subjects such as war, propaganda, media framing and civilian suffering, so the academic foundation needs to be credible and balanced.

This session continued to focus on potential research topics, strategies and resources. This session also worked as a revision of the topics covered so far, including research questions, literature reviews, academic structure and how to prepare for the draft literature review assignment.

A key part of the session was revisiting the draft literature review assignment. The assignment asks us to develop a research question or problem, write a short research objective, produce a draft literature review and include a bibliography of academic sources. This is intended to test the potential of the FMP thesis topic and create a foundation for the later thesis proposal.

We also looked again at how to structure a literature review. A literature review should not just describe sources one by one. It should organise research around key topics or concepts, compare authors’ positions, and explain how the sources support the wider argument. The resource also reminded us to be selective, synthesise and evaluate the literature, and use topic sentences to guide the reader through the discussion.

The session also introduced writing introductions. An introduction should explain what the research is about, why it matters, and how the study will approach the topic. The resource explains that an introduction should provide topic and context, focus and scope, relevance, aims and objectives. This helped me understand that the introduction is like a roadmap for the thesis. It should prepare the reader for the argument and make the research direction clear from the beginning.

For my own FMP thesis, this means I need to introduce the topic carefully without making the subject too wide. My current research question is: How can stylised 3D animation represent the contrast between media narratives of war and the lived experience of civilians affected by conflict?

This question gives me a clear direction, but I still need to refine the scope. I should explain why this topic matters, what kind of animation examples I might analyse, and how the research connects to my practical FMP work.

Another useful point from the session was the importance of integrating research properly. The resource on integrating research reminds us that research should not be added randomly into writing, but should support the argument and help develop the discussion. This is important because I need to use academic sources to build my argument, rather than only relying on my personal opinion or visual ideas.

Week 7 helped me understand how all the previous sessions connect together. Defining the research question, building the literature review, integrating sources and writing the introduction are all part of the same process. My next step is to continue collecting academic sources and begin shaping my draft literature review around clear themes that support both my thesis and my practical FMP animation.

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.

the session focused on research design and how to develop a clear research problem or question. We also received the briefing for the draft literature review assignment. This session was useful because it helped connect the earlier work on choosing a topic and developing a literature review with the next stage: deciding how the research will actually be structured and approached.

A key part of the session was understanding that research design is the plan behind the research. It helps define what the study is trying to investigate, what methods will be used, and how the research question can be answered. The resources introduced different research approaches, including qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods, arts-based and community-based participatory research. Leavy explains that research design is like building a structure or plan for research, where the chosen approach depends on the topic and purpose of the project.

We also looked at the difference between qualitative and quantitative research. Quantitative research uses numerical data and statistical analysis, while qualitative research focuses more on meaning, interpretation, process and context. For my own thesis, a qualitative approach seems more relevant because I am not trying to measure data statistically. Instead, I want to analyse ideas, visual examples, films, media language and how animation can communicate difficult subjects such as war, civilian experience and mediated narratives.

The session also helped me think about methodology. A methodology explains the actions taken to investigate a research problem, as well as the reasons for choosing those methods. This is important for my project because I need to explain why I am using certain sources, case studies and visual analysis, and how they help answer my research question.

We were also briefed on the draft literature review assignment. The assignment asks us to produce a research question or problem, a brief research objective, a draft literature review and a bibliography of books and journals we have reviewed.

For my own FMP thesis, i need to refine my research question, explain the objective clearly, and begin building a literature review around the key academic areas that support my topic. These could include media framing, propaganda, distant suffering, animated documentary, memory, trauma, war representation and visual storytelling. The assignment also reminds us to use recognised academic sources, apply Harvard referencing and avoid plagiarism through careful citation and paraphrasing.

Another useful resource from the session was the list of areas to consider when developing a research topic. It explains that topics in arts, entertainment, media and technology can be approached through perspectives such as politics, social justice, ethics, representation, cultural issues, media sectors, experimental practice, screen-based work and virtual reality. This connects well to my project because my research sits between animation, media, politics and representation.

Overall, this session helped me understand that my thesis needs a clear research design, not just an interesting theme. I need to decide what kind of research I am doing, what sources I will use, and how my literature review will support the final thesis proposal. My next step is to focus my research question and start organising sources into themes so that the draft literature review can become a strong foundation for my FMP thesis.

The session focused on developing a literature review and understanding how it supports the thesis. We looked at how to structure and write a literature review in a way that creates a balanced academic argument. The session also introduced the idea of the “golden thread”, meaning that the research question, literature review, methodology and final argument should all connect clearly throughout the thesis.

A key point from the session was that a literature review is not just a list of sources. It should explain how different authors, theories and debates relate to the research topic. A literature review helps identify what is already known, where there are gaps in the research, and how my own project can contribute to the discussion. Rowley and Slack explain that a literature review supports the identification of a research topic or question, builds understanding of key concepts and helps contextualise the research within existing literature.

We also looked at how to approach a literature review structurally. One useful method is the “funnel” approach: starting with broader background research, then narrowing the focus, and finally discussing the most relevant sources directly connected to the research question. This helped me understand that my literature review should not begin too specifically. I need to first introduce wider ideas around media, conflict, animation and representation before focusing on animated documentary, war narratives and civilian experience.

The session also made it clear that sources need to be academic and reliable. We were reminded to use peer-reviewed texts, books and scholarly articles, and to avoid relying on personal blogs, film reviews or YouTube unless they are being used for a specific animation reference. This is important for my research because my topic deals with serious subjects such as war, media language and civilian suffering, so the sources need to be credible and critically useful.

Another important point was how to write in an academic style. The guidelines explain that thesis writing should avoid personal or emotive language, avoid sweeping generalisations, and use formal academic phrasing. This is something I need to keep in mind because my topic is emotional, but the writing still needs to remain objective and analytical.

In week 3, the session focused on understanding and testing the viability of a research topic. This was useful because it showed that a thesis idea cannot just be interesting; it also needs to be focused, researchable and supported by reliable sources. We discussed how to develop a potential research topic and how to identify resources that can help shape the research.

A key point from the session was that the topic should motivate us for several months, but it also has to be realistic. A topic can become weak if it is too broad, too vague, too narrow or too ambitious. The resource explained that the research question should connect to art, design or visual culture, and that it needs to be focused enough to allow for critical analysis rather than just description.

The session also introduced ways of testing a research potential. This includes defining a research objective and question, explaining the project rationale, identifying keywords, situating the topic in relation to key texts and debates, choosing materials or case studies, and building a bibliography. This structure is helpful because it gives me a clearer way to test whether my research idea is strong enough before developing it further.

For my own project, I started thinking about possible keywords and sources. Some useful keywords could be: animated documentary, war representation, media framing, civilian experience, propaganda, trauma, memory, visual storytelling and 3D animation. These keywords can help me find academic sources and films that connect to my thesis topic. I also need to think about which films, artworks or animated examples I could analyse as case studies.

The session also reminded me that research is not only about collecting information, but about understanding different positions and debates. The research resources explain the difference between primary and secondary sources, and also stress the importance of taking notes carefully, including author, title, date, publisher and page references. This is important for avoiding confusion later when writing the thesis and using Harvard referencing.

PDF from last week’s assignment

In week 2, the session focused on short narrative and the challenges of telling a story in a short amount of time, especially through animation. We discussed how short non-verbal narratives need to communicate clearly without relying on dialogue, which means the story has to come through visual choices, character movement, body language, facial expression, sound and editing.

A key part of the session was understanding that short narratives usually focus on one main event, emotion or idea. Because there is limited time, there is not much space for long exposition or complicated backstory. Instead, the audience needs to quickly understand the character, the situation and the emotional direction of the story. The resources described short narratives as compressed stories that can still have a beginning, middle and end, but with a more direct structure and a clear emotional impact.

We also looked at non-dialogue animation as a way of telling stories visually. This was useful for thinking about how animation can work across language barriers, because the meaning is created through action, gesture, timing, expression, sound design and music instead of spoken words. Examples such as Shaun the Sheep, Flow, Oggy and the Cockroaches and Animanimals were suggested as references for visual storytelling without dialogue.

The session also made me think about how to introduce a character quickly. If my character is shown scrolling through media, walking through the city, or reacting silently to disturbing events, their behaviour needs to communicate their emotional state clearly. This links to the idea that non-dialogue animation relies on visual storytelling and performance to carry the narrative.

For next week, we were asked to start a section on the blog for the FMP thesis proposal and answer questions about our future production focus, the skills we need, how we might showcase the FMP, and whether the thesis should connect directly to the practical work.

In our first session, we were introduced to the thesis proposal brief and the expectations for developing a research topic. The session focused on understanding the purpose, significance and ethics behind choosing a thesis subject. We discussed how a research topic should not only be interesting personally, but also have a clear purpose, audience and potential relevance to future practice.

A key part of the session was thinking about what makes a strong research proposal. The proposal needs to explain what the research is about, why it matters, and how it could contribute to the field. It should also show how the research will be carried out, including the methodology, possible limitations, and the sources that will support the investigation. The structure includes a research title or question, draft introduction, keywords, draft literature review, draft chapter, chapter outline and indicative bibliography.

We also looked at how a thesis should be organised. The thesis needs to include sections such as an introduction, literature review, methodology, themed chapters, findings or discussion, conclusion and references. This helped me understand that the thesis is not just a long essay, but a structured investigation where each section has a clear role

The resources from the session were useful because they explained how to break a topic down into main questions and sub-questions, and how to start planning the investigation. They also reminded me that academic research needs to be properly referenced using the Harvard system, and that the sources should be relevant and recognised academically.