Thesis Prep – Lawrence Session 2

This weeks’ session was about going deep in the first topics of the thesis: Abstract and Introduction.

As mentioned in the previous blog, everything that cannot be put in to the thesis paper must be added on the blogs. Now, the first point mentioned was research:

• books
• films
• documentaries
• research papers (disney or other animation articles and essays)
• blogs from griz and norm
• the animation blog
• engage in online forums and reach professionals in industry
• discord

Of course, the help of our tutors will be essencial as this is the final stage of our masters degree and the most important thing for most of us, so a range of tutors will be there to help us which is good.

Abstract

Suggestions and tips:

• Should be around 300 words in length
• Must be a concise and clear summary of our thesis
• keep it concise, “umbrella terms”
• introduce subject area
• does not need referencing, as it will be done later in the body of the thesis
• be clear to the reader
• content should be of a factual basis

Abstract should include:

1. what is the research field
2. if there is a gap in our knowledge or not
3. overall aims and objectives and how it will respond to the gaps
4. methods used to achieve goals
5. important results and findings
6. how it can be used as futher knowledge in the chosen field

Lawrence did show us some examples of abstract from thesis of last years’ students and some of them are quite short or dont really fit in to all this but that does not make them less good. It all depends on the research and goals of each project. All this is guide to help us achieve what we think is our best work yet.

Introduction

An introduction should provide a context, clear intention of what we want to achieve as well as an overview of chapters as a way to guide the interpretation of the reader throughout the research. Should be around 5% to 10% of the word count.

Breakdown of what an introduction should do:

1. Identidying the readers
2. grabbing the attention
3. making it relevant
4. general knowledge of subject
5. preview of key points
   
   1. Identifying the readers is a good starting point as they are the ones trying to understand your research, mainly the person who is going to grade it. But of course, what is really important is that this study is understandable for everyone, animator or not animator. Keeping the reader interested is key to success.
   2. Grabbing the attention can be quite hard as there are so many ways to fail at this. One of lawrences’ tips was to either start with a question (which an also be seen as an old and basic technique) or provoque intrigue when introducing the theme.
      Writting a list of the most interesting topics of our study can help highlight these and obtain the attention of the reader.
      Associate present events on a more general spectrum to make the reader relate to it and narrow the subject in the body of the study.
   3. Making it relevant by giving a concise insite on the background of the subject giving enough knowledge to the reader.
   4. General Knowledge of the subject includes the studys’ purpose, our motivation in doing it as well as topic and scope of research. Compare and mention work or artistic view regarding the theme.
   5. Preview of key points is a way to let the reader know what is coming next, like opening the door for what the study will refer next, the interesting and deep dive into the subjects must be saved for the body.

After these sugestions lawrence showed us examples of other thesis introductions, from what I understood, this is where we have to captivate the reader to keep searching what what we mention in the introduction. Like a “Once upon a time, on a distant realm…” sort of opening.