NC 4-H Youth Development

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Presentation Guidelines: Public Speaking

Purpose/Objectives:

• Take part in interesting events and activities.
• Develop speaking skills and expand vocabulary.
• Learn to collect information and research topics.
• Learn to write and organize a speech.
• Develop an appropriate speaking presence and appearance.
• Develop good judgment, speech and actions before an audience.

Eligibility:

Individuals may compete. There is no team category.

• 9-10 - 4-H'er must be 9 years old prior to January 1 of the current year and not have reached their eleventh burthday before January 1 of the current year.
• 11-13 - 4-H'er must be eleven years old prior to January 1 of the current year and not have reached their fourteenth birthday before January 1 of the current year.
• 14-18 - 4-H'er must be fourteen years of age prior to January 1 of the current year, and not have reached their nineteenth birthday before January 1 of the current year.

Rules/Regulations:

• Speeches must be a minimum of 5 minutes and a maximum of 7 minutes.
• Speeches may pertain to any topic.
• Notes may be used as a guide but are not encouraged.
• Participants are not to use props, visuals, or costumes.
• Questions do not follow a 4-H competitive speech.

4-H Public Speaking Judging scoresheet

NC 4-H Presentation Regulations

Judging:

• Judges will review each speech and complete a 4-H Public Speaking Judging Sheet.
• Judges will not ask questions at the end of the speech.
• No point system will be used to determine winners.
• Speeches will be judged as poor, fair, good, and excellent based on the following:
  1. I. SELECTION

     A. Purpose - To explain, impress, convince, or persuade

     B. Central Idea - The matter in general

     C. Method of Development - Clear, simple, orderly, logical: listing details, examples, and extended example comparison and contrast; argument and persuasion analysis

  2. II. DEVELOPMENT

     A. Focus on Main Points - The matter in particular

     B. Proportionate Elaboration - Illustrations and emphasis

     C. Transitions - Sensible progress

  3. III. PRESENTATION

     A. Diction and Tone - Choice of words and evidence of an appropriate attitude

     B. Voice Control - Pitch, rate, volume

     C. Pronunciation and Articulation - Clearness and emphasis

     D. Projection - Rapport, consciousness of audience reaction

Resources:

• 4-H Presentations, Pages 15-16, 21.
• Public Speaking and You. 4-H M-1-34

Awards:

• District Winners: $50.00 Congress Scholarship for each Division winner.
• State Winners: $75.00 award and gold medal for first place

Donor: Farm Credit Service

Specialists: