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I went and defended my research proposal some time back. I was superbly confident in what I was doing. Although, it is a fatal flaw of mine and I was given only twenty minutes to present my work. The defending part however took a good two hours and a half. It was a complete blood bath where I was bombarded with question after question during the entire session. I was told that my session was one of the longest for the day, not sure if that was something that I should be proud of, but it was a good learning experience nonetheless.
A proposal defense is a crucial point in any university's student career. The feeling was similar to taking a major exam. I don't mind presenting to an audience, but I mind who the audience is. As I finished my presentation, I braced myself for the onslaught of questions that ensued.
Writing on Steemit is not as challenging as defending a proposal. There is no need to write thirty thousand words only to have every idea questioned by an examiner. However, don't get me wrong, our work on Steemit is questioned as well. It is just a lot less stressful. Nonetheless, while a successful proposal defense is rewarded with a thumbs up to proceed further, a great Steemit post is rewarded with upvotes.
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So, if you are a university student who is about to defend your proposal soon and you're on Steemit, this is for you!
Sell Your Ideas
In a proposal defense, one of the few things that the examiner would focus on is if you are solving a problem. There are many ways to solve a particular problem, but it is up to you to prove that yours is the best solution. That takes a lot of research on studies that have are tackling a similar issue as yours. When presenting your research, sell your ideas, focus on the strengths and the benefits. It is important to convince the examiner that you have the best solution to a very important problem.
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On Steemit, the challenge is the same. Most of the high paying tags such as life and Steemit will have authors writing about a general issue. However, it is the manner in which they approach it which makes it unique. Here's an example, you may be writing about how to come up with great ideas to write on Steemit. Many have attempted this topic before, however, I know that many would approach it differently. You may find that the best way for you to generate ideas is after a long swim or even a long walk. Your opinion works for you and so it is up to you to 'sell' or rather, help others see why it works for you.
Thus, sell ideas that are uniquely yours and just like the end of a proposal defense where the examiner will come to agree with you, your audience will come to see things your way.
Make It Relatable
However, what if you find that your audience are not interested with what you are presenting? It is my opinion that there is no such thing as a boring topic. It all depends on how you package the issue and present it. One way in doing so is to make your presentation relatable.
For example, my current research topic is A Comparative Analysis Between Malaysia and Vietnam's E-learning Policy Implementation In Higher Learning Institutions. When I presented my topic, the examiner had a blank look on his face. We teachers learn very quickly on how to pick up certain facial expressions. We can sense if you are bored. Thus, I had to present it in a way where it was relatable. I used this picture to prove my point.
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I related the issue, the solution and my research back to the picture, stating that it was about how we evaluate the use of technology in higher learning institutions. I made my study, relatable. On Steemit, you may be writing on a topic that no one knows of. Writing about the facts and science behind what you know may make it seem unappealing, but relating it to a movie, game or even food would help your audience identify with your ideas better.
Know Your Topic Well
Of course, it is important to know what you are talking about. If you are ill-prepared for your proposal defense, it is good to perhaps postpone it and try it on a later date. This however is a bit different on Steemit. The thing is, with Google at your fingertips, you can find out on any topic rather quickly. So why should you know your topic well?
One reason, sustainability. If you are on Steemit for a quick buck, maybe it is good to re-evaluate your strategy. I am in it for the long run and I recommend you do the same. Once you have started posting, you would probably be writing on something that you are familiar with. After a few posts, you would have an audience in the form of followers. It is good to continue creating new content often to cater to your audience. Thus, if you know your topic well, you probably can write about different things daily and write it well.
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However, if you are no expert in any particular field, try being part of a project. The experience and learning process would be invaluable. Furthermore, you may find solutions, ideas and experiences that are unique to your own situation. This will help you create post that is personal, unique and something that only you know of.
Most importantly, as you prepare for your proposal defence or that first post on Steemit, be bold knowing that what you have written is good and unique in its own right. Be willing to learn from other's experience and if you fail, be stubborn in giving up.
