Public Presentation contest

Public Speaking Contest
Event Date(s)

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.

  • In-Person judging spaced out throughout the Extension Office.
  • You will receive a scheduled time to present
  • Members must be enrolled in Communications: Public presentation in Zsuites

For more information, see the following websites:

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 3 entries from any category to the state contest. A 4-H member may advance in one individual category and one team category. Participating Youth must be 8 years of age on or before September 1, 2023. Participating youth turning 14 years of age on or before September 1, 2023 must enroll as advanced. 

Contest Division and Class 

Formal Speech | Self-written | Notes Allowed| No props | Individual | 4-5 minutes (Beginner)| 5-6 minutes (Advanced) 

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. 

*This category will be broken down into the following classes by age. 

  • Beginner: 8-13 years of age 
  • Advanced: 14 years of and up  

 

Illustrated Speech | Self-written | Notes Allowed | Illustrations Required | Individual 4-5 minutes (Beginner)| 5-6 minutes (Advanced)

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. 
  • Beginner: 8-13 years of age 
  • Advanced: 14 years of and up  

 

Original Works | Self-written | Notes Allowed | Props and Costumes Allowed | Individual or 2-Person Team | Youth must provide printed manuscripts to judge | 4-6 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/ Spoken Word 
  • 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 | Youth must provide printed manuscripts to judge | 4-6 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 
Program Areas
4-H Youth Development