Extemporaneous Speaking
Guidelines
- This is a fun category where each speaker pulls a topic "out of a hat" and speaks!
- 4-H’ers will be provided two topics and can choose one. Youth will have a few minutes to come up with their speech.
- Cloverbud and beginners may consult with parents or friends for help.
- Intermediate and seniors are expected to compete without assistance.
Sample Topics
Cloverbud and Beginner:
- Favorite cartoon character
- Favorite season
- Favorite 4-H project
- Online learning
Intermediate & Senior:
- My favorite holiday tradition
- Something I’ve accomplished
- Online learning
- City or country you would most like to visit
Time Guidelines
- Cloverbud: 1-2 minutes
- Beginner: 2-3 minutes
- Intermediate: 3-4 minutes
- Senior: 3-5 minutes
Public Speaking
Definition: This is an original oratory; the contestant’s own composition that will discuss the topic intelligently with a degree of originality, and in a persuasive manner to inform or challenge her/his audience.
Goals and Objectives
- To provide 4-H members with incentives and a public forum to develop effective speaking skills.
- To encourage youth to gain inquiry and research skills on a specified topic.
- To provide an opportunity to explore a topic.
- To help contestants develop poise and self-confidence in communicating personal ideas to an audience in a variety of public settings.
Guidelines
- Intermediate and Senior contestants may only use 3" x 5" cards for reference.
- No singing, music tapes, or visual aids are permitted.
- The 4-H’er must write the speech. It must be an original oratory with no more than 10% quotations.
Time Guidelines
- Cloverbud: 1-3 minutes
- Beginner: 2-4 minutes
- Intermediate: 4-5 minutes
- Senior: 7-8 minutes
Note: Time will begin as the participant begins speaking and will include the time used for the introduction.
Topics: See topic section. Follow age guidelines.
Interpretive Reading
Definition: Using a play, short story, or any other published work, 4-H’ers perform a selection of one or more portions of a piece up to the allotted time. With a spotlight on character development and depth, this event focuses on the 4-H’ers ability to convey emotion, delivery, timing, and character development through the use of a text- can be humorous, dramatic or duo. 4-H’ers may portray one or multiple characters. No props or costumes may be used. Performances can also include an introduction written by the member to contextualize the performance, and state the title and the author.
Goals and Objectives
- Involve more 4-H’ers in the oral communication process.
- Encourage and generate personal self-confidence and poise in a public presentation.
- Expose 4-H’ers to different sources of literature and inspire them to more in-depth reading.
- Provide an opportunity to share ideas, feelings, or humor through literature.
- Learn principles of good communication through creative expression of published works.
Guidelines
- Interpretive reading is reading from a script. It may, but does have to be, memorized.
- Sources can be published prose, poetry, fiction, comedy, humor, children's literature, news articles, speeches, letters, journals, etc. Appropriate sources can be put together with brief bridging sentences.
- Presentation must include the source, author and a short introduction bridging it to your topic.
- Stories can be modified, non-critical sections can be removed, or a synopsis can be given to meet your time limit.
Time Guidelines
- Cloverbud: 1-3 minutes
- Beginner: 2-4 minutes
- Intermediate: 4-5 minutes
- Senior: 7-8 minutes
Note: Time will begin as the participant begins speaking and will include the time used for the introduction
Topics: Readings may relate to the topics in the topics section. Follow age guidelines.
Storytelling
Definition: Orally presenting an oral or written story from any source in a story-telling manner. The participant does not read the story, but "tells" it in an imaginative and dramatic fashion.
Guidelines
- Storytelling is re-telling a story (original or published) in your own words. It may be memorized but not required.
- Presentation should include source, author (if known) and a short introduction bridging it to your topic.
- Judges do not need to have a duplicate copy before the presentation.
- Costume and hand props may be used.
- NO stage props allowed..
Time Guidelines
- Cloverbud: 1-3 minutes
- Beginner: 2-4 minutes
- Intermediate: 4-5 minutes
- Senior: 7-8 minutes
Note: Time will begin as the participant begins speaking and will include the time used for the introduction.
Topics: Choose from any topic listed on the topics section regardless of age.
4-H Pledge
Definition: Cloverbuds recite the 4-H Pledge. Cloverbuds should use hand gestures that accompany the pledge. This is a great first time public speaking opportunity! Room judges are very helpful, accommodating and supportive of the youth!
Age: Cloverbuds only - K-2nd grade.
The 4-H Pledge
I pledge. . .
my head to clearer thinking,
my heart to greater loyalty,
my hands to larger service,
and my health to better living,
for my family, my club, my community,
my country, and my world.
