Project Guidelines: We want to encourage our members to improve their work and present it in other, larger, 4H competitions. For most projects, that means presenting the work at the fair. However, public speaking is a bit different. There are public speaking events throughout the year at county and even state level. While the guidelines given here are designed to help our members be successful at the club level, they should also show how these presentations can be successful in larger 4H contests. (To see state 4H Guidelines and a list of contest dates, click here.
The basic guidelines are that members up to 12 years old (as of Jan 1st of the current 4H year) should present a 3 to 5 minute speech and members 13 and up should present a 5 to 8 minute speech on any veterinary science topic. Pretty simple.
That said, we recommend that members base the speech on their science board or digital slideshow. Doing so serves a few purposes. First, it allows you to make a speech that is already researched. Also, it allows members to really show what they have learned through that research. The science board or slideshow should act as a prop for their speech and members should think about how to affectively use it as such (where to place it, where to stand, what to point out, etc.). If you go on to compete in a 4H competition at the county level, this would be called an “Illustrated Talk” or “Electronic Media.”
However, we don’t require members to cover the same topic as their science board or even use it as a prop. Members are also allowed to give a more traditional speech (with the same time length requirements) on another veterinary science topic. While you would not have any props like a science board, 4H rules do allow the use of note cards.
Judging Criteria: How well the speech follows guidelines (on topic and conforms to length requirement), clarity of speech (loud and clear voice, appropriate word choice, etc.), clarity of discussion (well organized, points make sense and are well explained, etc.), use of props (placed appropriately where people can see it, is used to highlight points effectively, etc.), physical expression (good posture, eye contact, effective gestures, etc.). For a more detailed list of judging criteria typical for a 4H public speaking, see this good list from Virginia 4H here.
Digital Version:
The digital version is simply a recorded version of the oral presentation. It can be a recorded speech or illustrated talk. It should not be simply a voice over as part of the judging will be looking at things like body language of the speaker and effective use of visual materials. If performing an illustrated talk, the speaker will need to use the illustration effectively. If it is a physical science board, that will mean using the board as a prop for the speech. If using a digital slide show the speaker will need to find a way to cut between video of themselves and their slides. As with the in-person speeches, the time limit is three to five minutes for juniors and five to eight minutes for seniors.
Here are some links that will be helpful for completing the project:
A Guide to Making Great Speeches from the University of Nebraska
Key Elements of the Illustrated Talk from the University of Maine
Rules and Guidelines for the Hartford/Tolland County Regional Public Speaking Contest