How to Give a4-H Speech

Kim Butler, Adult 4-H Volunteer4-H Paws N Pals

4-H Firing Fanatics

Calvin’s First 4-H Presentation

Learn to express yourself clearly

Why Should 4-H’ers Participate?

Learn how to gather information Learn to organize your ideas

Learn to speak in front of a group Learn a life skill that you need Show an “I Can Do It!” attitude

Contest Flow

• Club Contest – March 25th at meeting– Any 4-H’er can participate – You can participate in multiple categories

• County Contest – Fri, April 16 at 7 PM, Co Fair.– Any 4-H’er can participate– You can participate in multiple categories

• MD State Contest – Sat, April 24 at Univ of MD– 4-H’er must win the county contest– You can only participate in one category

Contest Awards

• Club Contest – Blue (1st place), Red (2nd place), White (3rd place), and

Participation (recognition for participating)– Each contestant judged individually, no winner

• County Contest– Blue (1st place), Red (2nd place), White (3rd place), and

Participation (recognition for participating)– Grand Champion (overall winner) & Reserve Grand

Champion• State Contest

– Grand Champion (overall winner) & Reserve Grand Champion

General Rules

• Visual aids are not permitted• Appropriate gestures are

encouraged, but judges may deduct points for excessive movements or hand gestures that distract

• State Champions may not enter the same category & age group a 2nd time

• State contest can compete in 1 category

Age Categories

• Clovers: 5 to 7 years of age• Juniors: 8 to 10 years of age• Intermediates: 11 to 13 years of

age• Seniors: 14 to 18 years of age

• Ages are as of January 1st of the current year

Types of 4-H Speeches

• Radio Spot• Prepared Speech• Interpretation• Extemporaneous

• 4-H Pledge – Clovers only

4-H Pledge

• For Clover age group only• Pledge is not judged – participation

ribbon is given• Appropriate hand gestures should

be used• Do not introduce yourself

Radio Spots

• Time Limit – exactly 30 seconds• Can include musical

background/effects• Must provide a written script to

judges• Radio spot should relate to 4-H, be

original, and be created by 4-H’er• Given behind a screen, you don’t

look at the audience

Prepared Speech

• Time Limit– Juniors: 3 to 5 minutes– Intermediates & Seniors: 4 to 6 minutes

• Contestants may speak on any topic.

• Note cards containing an outline allowed

• Note cards given to judges at the end

• Do not introduce yourself• Judges may ask questions

Interpretations

• Time Limit– Junior: 1.5 to 3 minutes– Intermediates: 2 to 4 minutes– Seniors: 3 to 5 minutes

• Memorized oral interpretations or selection of narratives from a given work– From plays or books – not TV shows

Interpretations

• 3 Types of Interpretations– Dramatic– Poetry– Humorous

• Bring 2 copies of the script for judges

• Judges may ask questions• For dramatic interpretations, 4-

H’ers may wear a costume and opt to sit

Extemporaneous Speech

• Time Limit– Juniors & Intermediates: 2 to 3 minutes– Seniors: 3 to 5 minutes

• Draw 3 topics – choose 1 • Write speech – use 4 5x8 cards one

side– Juniors & Intermediates have 30

minutes– Seniors have 15 minutes

• Judges may ask questions

What topic will I give

my speech about?

Speech Topics

• A topic you know something about• A topic you are interested in• A topic you are willing to research

and find out more about• A topic your audience will be

interested in

Organization of Speech

• Catchy theme and title• Introduction• Body – main part of speech• Summary / Conclusion

Catchy Theme / Title

• Attention Grabber!– Dogs – The Best Adventure a Dog Ever Had!– Electric - saving power saves money (super hero)– Egg Cookery - EGGS-citing – Fisheries & Aquatic Resources - The CATCH to fishing

with flys– Small Engines - Get your MOTOR running (song lyric)

Introduction

• Attract the audience’s attention with a quotation, startling question or statement of fact

• Use a catchy theme• State the purpose of your speech

and what you hope to accomplish

Body

• This is the “meat” of your talk• Present info in one of the following

ways– Time pattern: arrange historically around the

past, present, or future– Space sequence: arrange geographically– Problem-effect-solution: state the problem,

describe its effects, suggest ways to solve it (ex: oven too hot, biscuits burned, fed them to dog)

– Narrative sequence: story from beginning to end

Summary / Conclusion

• Briefly summarize your main points • Appeal for specific action (if that is

the intent of your speech)• Close with the idea you most want

the audience to remember• Summarize the main points• Leave the audience smiling or

laughing

Writing Your Speech

• Use the 4-H Public Speaking Worksheet• Decide on a topic• Create an outline • Research your topic• Organize your points and decide on a sequence• Create a friendly, catchy, memorable

introduction• Sum up your talk in your summary• Write your speech out on 3 x 5 cards to

practice

Be Prepared

• Practice, practice, practice• Eye contact with total audience• Loud, clear, friendly, natural voice• Neat appearance• Gestures, Posture, Body Language• Voice dynamics/articulation• Handling questions• Handling distractions• Smile and enjoy

The Day of the Speech

• Get plenty of rest the night before• Don’t eat too much before your speech• Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to survey the

room where you will be talking and to find out the order

• If you are nervous, breathe deeply and slowly several times just before you are introduced

• Dress appropriately. Be neat and clean.• Make sure you have 3 copies of your speech

Giving Your Speech

• When introduced, walk briskly to the podium• Pause, smile, and look at everyone before

starting• Stand tall, don’t lean on the podium• Be confident• Speak loud and clear• Speak normally, don’t rush• Don’t read your speech off your cards • Look at your audience like you are talking to

each of them. Have good eye contact.

Questions After Speeches

• Questions: – Only “Judges” are allowed to ask participants

questions.

– You may opt to repeat the question or include the question in your answer but this is NOT a requirement.

– It’s OK to admit you can’t answer the question or you don’t know.

Radio Spot Scoring

Delivery…….………………………………………………..30 points

Naturalness, articulation and pronunciation, projection (clear voice, volume, voice modulation)

Content………………………………………………………40 points

Statements are factually correct and up-to-date, address is interesting to listener, material is appropriate

Timing………………….………………………………….…30 points

Meets established time limits, adjusts speed as necessary

Total…………………………………………………………100 points

Prepared Speech Scoring

Naturalness (at ease)………….................................20 points

Waits for quiet before starting, offers no apologies, has sincere manner, enjoys sharing ideas, appears relaxed, pauses naturally between ideas, shows spontaneous informal style

Organization………………………………………………..25 points

Is well organized, develops points logically, uses illustrations from own experience, expresses own ideas and feelings, makes statements that are easily understood, presents original material, has good opening and closing remarks, prepares

Delivery………………………………………………………20 points

Poise and posture, stand up straight, pronunciation and articulation of words, projection (clear voice, volume, eye contact), appropriate gestures

Content………………………………………………………35 points

Statements are factually correct and up-to-date, audience learns about the subject

Total…………………………………………………………100 points

Interpretations Scoring

Selection……………….………….................................25 points

Appropriate (meets category requirements/tasteful), meets time limit, proper identification of author

Delivery…….………………………………………………..30 points

Memorization (knowledge of material), pronunciation, articulation, projection (clear voice, volume, eye contact), use of body (gestures, facial expression, posture, stage presence)

Interpretation………………………………………………25 points

Comprehension & proper emphasis, creation of mood (style, phrasing, expression), spiritual or emotional effect

Overall Effectiveness………………………………….…20 points

Proficiency of delivery, personal appearance, able to relate to audience, able to hold attention, poise

Total…………………………………………………………100 points

Extemporaneous Scoring

Organization………………………………………………..35 points

Is well organized, develops points logically, uses illustrations from own experience, expresses own ideas and feelings, makes statements that are easily understood

Delivery………………………………………………………35 points

Poise and posture, pronunciation and articulation, projection (clear voice, volume, eye contact), sincere manner, natural pauses between ideas

Content………………….….…………………………….…30 points

Statements are factually correct and up-to-date, audience learns about subject

Total…………………………………………………………100 points

Wrapping It Up

• Public Speaking is critical to a 4-H’ers future– Career– Education– Relationships– Success in life!