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Yes, like everything else, the 2021 Florida 4-H Public Speaking County Contest is going Virtual!
Yes, like everything else, the 2021 Florida 4-H Public Speaking County Contest is going Virtual!
Planning
Planning
Plan the same way that you would for an in-person presentation. We'd like to invite you to record your video in front of an audience. If you cannot, pretend that you will be speaking in front of an audience. If it makes it easier, you can try surrounding your camera with photographs or stuffed animals to make it feel like you are speaking to a group. You will still want to use note cards in the same way that you would in-person. You should not use any props for your Florida 4-H Public Speaking Entry.
We strongly encourage that "teleprompting" NOT be used. If it is used, judges will be able to notice and this will cause deductions in the youth's scoring. Note cards held by youth are acceptable.
Background
Background
A plain background is best. You can use a wall, a sheet, or get creative with large things in your house. You can also go outside and stand at the side of your house, in front of a fence, or just have nature as the background. If you don’t have any plain backgrounds available, just try to keep things balanced and not distracting. Try to have at least the area around your face clear and plain.
Lighting
Lighting
In addition to having a good background, lighting is also important. Natural light will be the best, so if you have a window available, try standing facing the window so that the light shines toward you. If you are relying on your ceiling lights, avoid standing directly under them since they will cast harsh shadows. Take a few steps back so that the light is in front of you and not directly above or behind you. Do the same things with lamps if you are using those.
Environment
Environment
Make sure to keep outside distractions at bay when recording. Let your family members know that you are working on your Florida 4-H Public Speaking entry so that they can help you by keeping quiet and not showing up on screen. You can even get them to help you out by acting as your audience and sitting near the camera if you find that helps you. Also, if you have pets, they should be kept off camera. Close your door or ask a family member to keep them occupied for you so that pets don’t make distracting noise or walk by during your presentation.
Recording
Recording
Test out your camera for audio and visual quality before recording your whole presentation. Just do a test video of you speaking for a minute or two and make sure you like how it looks and sounds. Make any adjustments to your background, lighting, or environment and then test again. Once you are happy with the audio and visual quality of your video, you can start your presentation! Remember, you should present as though you are in-person, so don’t stress over little mistakes. Just move past them and continue your presentation. We just want one take of your presentation!
Special thank you to Mary Lee Sale, Alachua County 4-H, for her write up of these pointers.
FORM_UF-IFAS-Video-Photo-Release_2020.pdfVideo Release is Required
Video Release is Required
A video release form is required for the videos to be posted to this website for judging. Videos will be uploaded to YouTube and shared on their specific grade page here.
Submitting Your Entries
Submitting Your Entries
To submit your entries, you should record a video of yourself presenting your speech. Then, complete the video release form and submit your file(s) at the link(s) below (also included at the end of the registration form). Videos are due by February 25th. Videos will be viewable on this website divided by their specific grade. We will share the winners on March 11 at 5:30PM here and on Zoom. Please register for the Zoom by clicking here.
Judging
Judging
Videos will be uploaded to Pages here on this website to video the videos and to complete their judging of each of the speeches. Pages will be published by March 1 for your viewing pleasure. Judges will use this scoresheet (the same as youth have been judged by at the classroom and school levels) and we will announce the winners via our Zoom on March 11 at 5:30PM. Please register for the Zoom by clicking here.
2021 New Judging Sheet.pdfPage updated
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