4-H Communication: Public Speaking and Horse Speaking Contest

• Saturday April 4, 2020
• McHenry County Farm Bureau in the Auditorium
• Sign in will begin at 9:00am and the first presentation will be at 9:15am.
• Members must be enrolled in Communications: Public presentation OR Horse projects in 4HOnline

Please register HERE

One of the most important skills that 4-H members can learn is to speak in front of a group. In 4-H, members have many opportunities to practice this skill. Besides doing presentations at the club meetings, members have the opportunity to participate in the Public Presentation contest.

This contest is open to all youth interested in presenting in the following categories: formal speech (original or topical), illustrated speech, oral interpretation, or an original work. Horse project members are eligible to participate in Horse Speeches for points toward Horse Master.

For more information, see the following websites:

• IL 4-H State:https://4h.extension.illinois.edu/members/projects/communications
• IL 4-H State contest information and scoresheets:https://4h.extension.illinois.edu/events/illinois-4-h-state-public-speaking-contest
• IL 4-H Horse Speaking Contest Information and scoresheets:https://4h.extension.illinois.edu/events/illinois-4-h-horse-speaking-contest

COMMUNICATIONS: PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS

Enrollment in the Public Presentations project is required to participate in this section. No live animals are allowed in speeches. Counties may advance a total of three entries from any category to the state contest.

* Formal Speech | Self-written | Notes Allowed | No props | Individual | 4-8 minutes

Formal Speeches share the presenter's own unique view and are intended to motivate, persuade, or inform an audience and may include a call to action. Youth deliver a speech on any topic they wish (Original Oratory), or choose one of these four topics on which to speak (Topical Response):

• Welcome to the Digital Age
• What is My Connection to the Global Community?
• Power: Who Has It, Who Doesn't, and Does It Matter?
• If I Could See tomorrow...

* Illustrated Speech | Self-written | Notes allowed | Illustrations Required | Individual | 4-8 minutes

Illustrated Speeches may be used to inform, persuade, or motivate the audience while using a visual aid. Visual aids may be two dimensional, three-dimensional, or digital. Youth may include audience participation. Digital visual aids must be stored on a USB flash drive. Illustrated speeches may be:

• How-to demonstrations which show the audience how to do something
• Object lessons which use objects as metaphors to share a message.
• Educational models where drawings or diagrams help explain a topic.

* Original Works | Self-written | Notes allowed | Props and Costumes Allowed | Individual or 2-Person Team | Manuscripts sent in Advance | 4-8 minutes

Original works must be written entirely by the presenter. It may be presented as an individual or a two-person team entry. Manuscripts must be sent in advance to the contest. Presentations may be designed for TV, radio, or online media and must be presented live. The types of entries could include:

• Prose and Short Stories
• Poetry
• Broadcast Media Program
• Theatrical
• Combined Program: Combine any number of the above elements along with other creative presentation forms

* Oral Interpretation | Published work | Props and Costumes Allowed | Individual or 2-Person Team | Manuscripts sent in Advance | 4-8 minutes

Presentations in Oral Interpretation must be published works, and manuscripts or transcripts must be submitted prior to the event. They may be presented as an individual or a two-person team entry. The types of entries could include:

• Prose and Short Stories
• Poetry
• Theatrical Interpretation
• Published Speech Recitation: Excerpt from a spoken presentation delivered by a public figure, such as Winston Churchill, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., or Maya Angelou
• Combined Program: Combine any number of the above elements along with other creative presentation forms

*Qualify for STATE 4-H Public Presentation Contest

• Total of THREE youth may advance to the State competition.
• See the rules and scoresheets online at 4-H.illinois.edu.
• Click Member>Projects>Communications.

HORSE SPEECHES - Horse Project members may earn points towards the 2020 Horse Master Competition

4-H Horse Speaking contests help youth gain self-confidence, courage and persuasiveness; share ideas with others; and develop the ability to speak in public to inform others about horse-related subjects and the 4-H Horse project.

• See the Illinois 4-H State page for more information and scoresheets: https://4h.extension.illinois.edu/events/illinois-4-h-horse-speaking-contest

Formal Speech (Horse): Formal Speeches (without props or aids) must be between 5-10 minutes in length for junior division (less than 14 by January 1 of current year) and 7-10 minutes in length for senior division (14 but not 18 by January of current year). Must be done by an individual member. Subject must pertain to the horse industry, or be horse related, and be original and factual. Brief notes may be used if desired. Visual aids of any kind will NOT be allowed. Contestants should cite their major references after the conclusion of their speech. This will NOT count in the allotted time.

Illustrated Talk (Horse): Illustrated Talks (with visual aids) must be between 9-12 minutes in length and done by an individual member. Subjects must pertain to the horse industry, or be horse-related, and be original and factual. It will incorporate the use of visual aids, which would illustrate the topic being discussed. Presentations should not involve the use of live animals; however, model animals may be used. Contestants may use notes; however, excessive use of notes may be counted against the contestant. Contestants should cite their major references after the conclusion of their talk. This will not be counted in the allotted time. If a contestant is using Power Point, they must bring their own equipment.

Team Demonstration (Horse): Demonstration will be given by a team of two members and must be between 10-15 minutes in length. Subjects must pertain to the horse industry, or be horse-related, and be original and factual. A demonstration will show a step-by-step procedure, and explain why each step is essential to develop a particular skill or task. Presentations should not involve the use of live animals; however, model animals may be used. Contestants may use notes; however, excessive use of notes may be counted against the contestant. Contestants should cite their major references after the conclusion of their talk. This will not be counted in the allotted time. If a contestant is using Power Point, they must bring their own equipment.

Interpretive Reading (HORSE) is the art of reading aloud from a printed page. The reading must be published works that are horse-related. They may be prose, poetry, short stories, play cuttings, narratives, book or review, or theatrical. You should NOT memorize; they are intended to be read from a page.

1. The selected reading must pertain to the horse industry. The reading must be published works.
2. Reading may be prose, poetry, short stories, play cuttings, narratives, book or review, theatrical interpretations, or published speech recitation.
3. Interpretive reading is the art of reading aloud from the printed page.
4. The selection should NOT be memorized.
5. Participants must provide 3 hard copies of the reading for the judges to have while the reading is taking place
6. Props and costumes are not used.
7. Contestants should have an opening that includes your name, age, and county. It should also include the title and author of the selection and an introduction (transition to reading).