Frederick County 4-H Presents

Public Speaking Contest - Demonstration Day

4-H teaches life skills through experiential learning. Public Speaking represents one of the core life skills emphasized in 4-H curriculum.

4-H members develop public speaking skills through participation in their 4-H Clubs and their 4-H Projects. Each club promotes public speaking by involving members in group discussions, presentations, and demonstrations. 4-H Members gain confidence in their public speaking skills by speaking in a non-threatening environment with friends, parents, and Club Leaders. Each 4-H Project requires members to share the information they learn through demonstrations and speeches.

Frederick County 4-H provides further experiential learning through a Public Speaking Workshop held prior to 4-H Presents. The workshop allows members to learn from experts, leaders, and older members. Members ask questions and receive tips without the pressure of a competition.

Public Speaking Contest

February 23, 2008 at Walkersville United Methodist Church
Entry Form & Rules

4-H Members compete in four general categories of public speaking. This contest does not permit the use of visual aids. The Public Speaking Contest focuses on the 4-H Member's ability to present information verbally through:

Prepared Speeches: Contestants may speak on any topic. It may be wise to discuss topics that could be considered controversial with your 4-H leader or educator before the contest. The speech may be written for a specific audience, such as a 4-H club, PTA, or a Rotary Club. Note cards containing a key word outline are permitted. Only juniors may use a complete script. Memorization is not encouraged.

Extemporaneous Speeches: Speakers will draw three topics and choose one topic to speak on. Juniors and Intermediates may have up to 30 minutes and Seniors up to 15 minutes to prepare their talk. Contestants may use one side of up to four, or both sides of up to two, 5 x 8 inch note cards to their key word outline.

Radio Spots: Exactly 30 seconds in length and may include a musical or sound effect introduction and/or background, but may not include a spoken introduction or “tag” by anyone other than the contestant. If music or a sound effect is used, the contestant must provide and operate the sound-making device. The contestant will provide a complete written script (including notations about music/sound effects) to the timekeeper to aid in timing accuracy. Musical/sound effect introductions and endings are considered a part of the radio spot and must not cause the 30 second time limit to be exceeded. The spot should relate to 4-H, be original and be created by the contestant.

Interpretations: Interpretations are to be memorized oral interpretation or a selection of narrative in language of speaker’s choice. Interpretations consist of three categories:

Dramatic Interpretation:

Oral interpretation, memorized by the speaker or a serious selection of narrative or dramatic literature. Monologues are acceptable.

Mime – use your body to create an interpretation

Poetry Interpretation – a memorized oral interpretation by the speaker.

Humorous Interpretation – a memorized oral interpretation of a humorous selection by the speaker. Cuttings may be taken from published plays or prose.

Demonstration Day

April 5, 2008
Entry Form & Rules

Frederick County 4-H's Demonstration and Talent Contest provides 4-H members an opportunity to share their knowledge and skills through public speaking with visual aids. Members may enter individually, as a team, or as a club. The contest consists of:

Demonstrations: actually showing someone how to make something and doing it. It should also show a finished product at the end to show.

Illustrated Talks: telling someone about something and using posters to illustrate it, but not actually doing it

Vocal Performances

Readings or Skits

Piano Performances

Dance

Instrument Performance

Others

For more information, contact Michael Kuster

Last updated: 01/1/2008