Delivering a successful presentation

Golden Opportunity....

Author: Somapriya Dahanayake

Vishva Lekha Publishers

“Public speaking is a competency that connects oneself to the rest of the society in numerous domains of human interactions,” comments Dr. M. Saman Dassanayake, Senior Lecturer and Head of Management Studies, Faculty of Management and Finance, University of Colombo, introducing the book “Golden Opportunity - Delivering a Successful Presentation” authored by Somapriya Dahanayake MA(Int.Rel), PGD (Int.Aff), BA (Hons)Philosophy sp, Lecturer, Department of Humanities Education, Faculty of Education at the same university.

“Buliding the public image of a person, by any measure, is a challenging, but inspiring endeavour. Effective Public speakers would perceive undoubtedly this challenge leading themselves to a fountain of inspiration where they find confidence, integrity and pride in public speaking.”

Prof. Dassanayake also says that the book is timely, published at a time when greater attention is paid to developing competency of communication, particularly oral communication skills in students, undergraduates and those who are employed in organizations on many different kinds.

Prof. W.G. Kularatne, also at Faculty of Education, provides a foreword to the book saying, “Nearly all of us would like to be able to make presentations with more poise and flair. We know that a large part of the secret is building confidence and comfort through planning and practice..... You must know how to use your voice and body language properly.... All these and much more on presentations you will be to learn by using the book written by Mr. Dahanayake.”

Dahanayake deals with the subject in nine chapters. They are What is a Presentation, Preparing a Presentation, Characteristics of a Good Presentation, Analyse Audience, Use Appropriate Visual Aids, Tips and Techniques for a Good Presentation, Handling Questions and Answers, Evaluating of Your Current Presentation Skills and Developing Presentation Skills.

The chapter on what is a presentation tells the reader of content, structure, packing and human element of a good presentation. The purposes of making a presentation can be for gathering and exchanging information, to generate influence over organizational process, and can create, exchange or modify individual and group identities or can be used for entertainment or to perform a cultural ritual.

The book also give information about voice modulation, eye contact and says that practice is the single most important thing you can do to ensure a good presentation.

Dahanayake has written seven other books, titled Jalakarana Balaya (power of networking), Nirmanasheeli Nayakathvaya (creative leadership), How to handle a team, Samuhikathvaye Balaya (power of team work), Udyogeethwa Balaya (power of motivation), Nayakathvayata manovidyathmaka Praveshayak (a psychological approach to leadership)and Pavathma saha Garuthwaya (analysis of human rights) with Dr. Jayantha Seneviratne.

Published by Sarvodaya Vishava Lekha Publishers, the book on presentations is priced at Rs.200.00.

Jayanthi Liyanage