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Public Presentations Contests 2008

1. Friday, February 1st, 7 P.M., CCRI Newport Campus (no animals allowed)
2. Saturday, February 2nd, 9 A.M., Coventry High School (no animals allowed)

Please note that Coventry High School and CCRI Newport will not allow animals of any size or type in the schools. Send your registration entry to: State 4-H Office, Peckham Farm, URI, Kingston, RI 02881 by January 25th for Coventry and ERI. If you score 90 or above at one of these contests, you are eligible for the State 4-H Public Presentation Contest, Saturday, March 1st, at 2:00 PM at Independence Hall, URI.

Rules

Contests in public speaking, demonstrations, illustrated talks, and creative communications provide the opportunity for youth to practice important life skills. 4-H members can talk on any topic, but should choose a different topic and title each year. Training received in clubs is supported and encouraged by these opportunities. All 4-H members should plan to participate in some phase of public presentations. TEAMS-Some members may find it appropriate to make their presentation as a team. Team members will be scored together on the same score sheet but will each receive their own ribbon. At the State Contest team winners will share cash awards. Four-H members may do more than one presentation although it is not recommended.  If they do more than one, it is the 4-H members' responsibility to visit each room they are supposed to be in and schedule when they will do each presentation before the presentations begin.

Categories

1. Public Speaking: This is a talk presented without visual aids. The purpose of this more formal talk is to inform, to persuade, to entertain, to stimulate action, or further interest in a topic of your choice. It may contain more poetry, quotations, humor or imagery than other presentation forms.
2. *Demonstrations: (Show How) In this type of presentation, the 4-H Club Member will prepare a show how (to make, to do, to prepare) type of presentation on a selected topic. Ex.: (a) How to get more from your computer, (b) How to show a dog, or horse, chicken, etc., (c) How to catch fish in salt water. Includes how to play a guitar, dance, act, tell jokes, juggle, etc.
3. Illustrated Talk: (Visual Presentations) This is a speech presented with the use of visual aids, such as charts, pictures, posters, graphs, samples, models, etc. The 4-H member uses the visual aids to tell about the topic. He/she does not show how to make something. Example: Using pictures and graphs, a 4-H member might talk about how some snacks can be a part of good nutrition, or, using a variety of visual aids, a 4-H member might tell us about make-believe super heroes, like spiderman and batman.
4. *Creative Communication: This is a presentation that is normally something you would do on a stage.  It does not fit in 1, 2 or 3. It can include, but is not limited to, stand-up comedy, story telling, drama, debate, or presentations using puppets, skits, clowning, singing, music, etc. If you want to show how it is performed, your presentation is a demonstration, not in this category! As in the other categories, you must bring everything you need for your presentation. Presenters should be careful not to include unacceptable put-downs of individuals or groups.

*Demonstrations and Creative Communications can easily be adapted to participate in the 2 day New England Center Activity at the Eastern States Exposition in September. Choose a working demonstration that educates the public and can be done in a booth, or a demonstration or creative communication that you can do on a stage.

AGE DIVISIONS

JUNIOR DIVISION: 4-H Members 8-13 years of age as of January 1, 2008. All Presentations 3 to 10 minutes

SENIOR DIVISION: 4-H Members 14-18 years of age as of January 1, 2008. All Presentations 5 to 10 minutes

CLOVER BUD DIVISION: Members 5, 6 & 7 as of January 1, 2008 can enter and receive a participation (green) ribbon. Not eligible for the state contest. All presentations 2 to 5 minutes.

SCORING

Score Sheets will be used for all rooms. One set of 2 or 3 judges will judge all the presentations in their assigned room. One point will be deducted for each minute over the maximum time limit. Two points will be deducted for each minute under the minimum time limit.

FOOD DEMONSTRATIONS: General Reminders....

Appearance: 4-H Foods Demonstrator should wear some type of head covering, an apron, no long sleeves or sweaters, no jewelry, everything washable. Bring a good copy of the recipe for the Judges! Make sure that you end up with a final product, or make one ahead of time and bring it along. All Foods demonstrations should include nutrition information about the food being prepared and how it fits into the daily diet. Trays for ingredients and utensils and clear glass bowls are recommended. Make sure you know how to use all equipment.

HOW THE 4-H MEMBER WILL BE EVALUATED:

I. The Participant - Appearance, Manner, Voice, Posture, & Eye Contact. Neat, and clean. DRESS APPROPRIATELY for the presentation you are doing. NO TORN JEANS, SHORT SHORTS, or CUTOFFS ... Excessive jewelry should not be worn in any Demonstration and all clothing should be washable! ... Hands and nails should be clean. Hair combed and neat. ... DO NOT chew gum or eat anything during your presentation unless it is Creative Communications where your character is doing these things ... Public Speaking usually means dressing more formally at the State Contest, and even clean, neat jeans may be questioned as to appropriateness.

Manner ... Be friendly, but business-like ... Set up your own equipment quickly and efficiently. The Room Moderator may assist you if you need help. ... Be direct and poised! ... Be interested in what you are doing...and show it!

Voice ... Speak LOUDLY...for entire audience to hear. ... Speak SLOWLY! Remember, when you are a little nervous, you will tend to speak more rapidly. ... Always use proper grammar and vocabulary.... Try to overcome your "bad" habits, like using "ums" or not speaking clearly, etc.

Posture ... Stand nice and tall on both feet. It's good to take some steps as you are talking, if that is comfortable for you. Shifting from one foot to the other in the same location is not desired.  Don't lean on the table or desk. ... Keep hands away from face and hair.

Eye Contact… As you are talking look at the people in your audience….The best speakers try to make eye contact with as many people as they can as they are talking.

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 The University of Rhode Island, United States Department of Agriculture and local government cooperating. Cooperative Extension in Rhode Island provides equal opportunity.