The DuPage-Kane-Kendall 4-H Public Speaking Contest returns to the DuPage Extension office on the morning of Saturday, March 15, at 9:00 AM. Exhibitor entries can be made in FairEntry through March 1. Youth ages 8+ (as of 9-1-24) can enroll in their choice of four categories of Public Presentations, including:

Formal Speech
Self-written | Notes Allowed | No props | Individual | 4-5 minutes for beginners; 5-6 minutes for advanced

• Formal Speech - Original Beginner Ages 8-13 (SF 50501A)
• Formal Speech - Original Advanced Ages 14 & Up (SF 50501B)  

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 may deliver a speech on any topic they wish.

Illustrated Speech
Self-written | Notes Allowed | Illustrations Required | Individual | 4-5minutes for beginners; 5-6 minutes for advanced 

• Illustrated Speech - Beginner Ages 8-13 (SF 50503A)
• Illustrated Speech - Advanced Ages 14 & Up (SF 50503B)    

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 | Youth must provide manuscripts to judge | 4-6 minutes

• Original Works – Individual (SF 50504)
• Original Works – Team (SF 50505)

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 manuscripts to judge | 4-6 minutes

• Oral Interpretation – Individual   (SF 50506)
• Oral Interpretation – Team  (SF 50507)

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

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 turning 14 years of age on or before September 1, 2024, must enroll as advanced. 

Resources:
Youth looking for resources to help prepare for this contest can reference the following: 

• Finding your Voice: Public Speaking made Easy (Public Speaking)