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Overview
This event is designed to develop rural and agricultural leadership, to provide for member participation in agricultural public speaking activities and to stimulate interest along such lines. The plan and rules have been organized according to those in use in the regional and national event. The winner in the state event is eligible to compete in the national event.
Sub-District, District, State, National
6-8 minutes
Rules
Participants may choose any current subject for their speeches which is of any agricultural character (nature), and which may include agriscience and technology, agribusiness, agri-marketing, international agricultural relations, and agricultural communications. Official judges of any FFA Prepared Public Speaking Event shall disqualify a participant if he or she speaks on a non-agricultural subject.
A title page must precede the speech manuscript. It shall include: title of the speech, participant name, name of school, school post office address and year.
Each participant's manuscript will be the result of the student's own efforts. It is expected that the participants will take advantage of all available training facilities in their local school in developing their speaking ability. Facts and working data may be secured from any source.
All participants in the Public Speaking Event should give credit to others where any direct quotes, phrases or special dates are used in the manuscript, in order not to be guilty of plagiarism. A bibliography MUST be indicated as part of the speaker's manuscript. Any style bibliography form is acceptable. Direct quotes from any other source of information must be marked in "quotes" on the manuscrpit and be identified in the bibliography. Failure to do so will result in deducation of points. This applies to all participants above the local level.
No cover is required on the manuscript; however, if a cover is used, the official FFA award application folder must be on each copy of the speech manuscript.
The chairperson of the event shall introduce the participant by name and chapter only and the participant may introduce the speech by title only.
Notes on 3x5 cards may be used during delivery; however, excessive use will detract from the general effect.
Participants are not permitted to use any props, gadgets, or audio-visuals of any sort. However a podium is permitted.
Each speech shall be limited to not less than six minutes or more than eight minutes in length with one/tenth of a point to be deducted for each second for either overtime or undertime. The participant will be given a warning after the first six minutes of his or her speech by the timekeeper. This will be done by holding up a card with a six on it.
Five minutes additional time shall be allowed each participant to defend his or her presentation on related questions which shall be asked by the judges.
At Sub-District level, it is permissible to deliver three copies of the written materials to the Sub-District Advisor the day of the event. Written materials will be returned following the Sub-District event. Materials for the advancing teams may be revised and delivered at registration of the District event.
At District level, it is permissible to deliver the written materials to registration the day of the event. Written materials will be returned following the District event. Materials for the advancing teams may be revised.
Written materials from advancing chapters must be postmarked to the FFA Enrichment Center seven business days following the District event.
The judges in each Sub-District shall designate the top two individuals to compete in the District event. The judges shall also name an alternate.
The judges in each District shall designate the top two individuals to compete in the State event. The judges shall also name an alternate.
The judges at the State level shall designate the top four individuals. The top individual will compete in the National event. The judges shall also name an alternate and a third place finisher.