In the first session of term 3, we were introduced to the structure and schedule for developing the thesis proposal. The session focused on understanding the main components that need to be included in the proposal and how these will later support the development of the final FMP thesis.
A key part of the session was understanding that the thesis proposal is not the final thesis, but a plan for the research we intend to conduct. The proposal needs to show what the research is about, why it is relevant, how it connects to the field, and how the study will be developed. The resource explains that a research proposal should demonstrate how and why the research is relevant, whether it fills a gap, supports existing research, or adds new knowledge to the academic field.
We also looked at the required structure for the thesis. The FMP thesis should include a research question or hypothesis, abstract, contents page, introduction, literature review, methodology, themed chapters, conclusion, reference list, bibliography and any relevant image, film, games, broadcast or internet source lists. This helped me understand the scale of the final written work and how each section has a different purpose.
The session also explained what should be included in the proposal itself. The proposal should contain a research title or question, keywords searched, draft introduction, draft literature review, research methods outline, general chapter outline, draft chapter, reference list and indicative bibliography. This gave me a clearer overview of what I need to prepare during this term.
For my own FMP thesis, I want to continue developing my research around how stylised 3D animation can represent the contrast between media narratives of war and the lived experience of civilians affected by conflict. This session helped me understand that I need to keep refining this into a precise research question and make sure that the proposal clearly explains the purpose, audience, methods and academic context of the study.
The resources also reminded us that when choosing a topic, we need to consider whether it motivates us to research, whether it has theoretical or practical value, and whether it can fulfil the assignment outcomes. We should also identify the audience and purpose of the report, break the thesis into main questions and sub-questions, and begin planning the investigation.
This is important for my project because my topic is quite broad and sensitive. I need to make sure it does not become too general or too emotional. Instead, I should focus on specific areas such as media framing, animated documentary, memory, trauma, visual storytelling and stylised 3D animation. These areas can help me build a stronger academic foundation for my practical FMP work.