Worcester County Public Speaking Contest

314 Harrison Avenue,Berlin MD 21811

03 March, 2023

Description

Public Speaking is one of the most important skills youth can learn which will enable them to be successful in life. This year's contest has five catagories and 3 age groups. AGE CATEGORIES Junior: 8-10 Intermediate: 11-13 Senior: 14-18 CATEGORIES DEMONSTRATION VISUAL PRESENTATION PREPARED SPEECHEXTEMPORANEOUS SPEECHRADIO SPOTContest Rules: A contestant may only compete in one category. If a contestant wins more than one category at the County Contest, they must choose which category to compete in at the State Contest. Previous State 4-H Public Speaking Contest Champions may not enter the same category and age group a second time. (For example, a 4-H member who is the state Junior Prepared Champion cannot compete in Junior Prepared the following or future years). However, past state champions can enter the same category once they have advanced to the next age level (Example: a past Junior Prepared Champion can enter as an Intermediate Prepared contestant once he/she has advanced to the Intermediate age level). Contestants should not introduce themselves as part of their presentation. This will be done by an MC or room Host/Hostess. If there is no Host/Hostess then the speaker will be directed to introduce themselves and this introduction will NOT be judged or timed. It will NOT be considered a part of the speech! Judges may ask questions of contestants in the Demonstrations, Visual Presentation, Prepared, Extemporaneous, and Interpretations categories. Due to time constraints, questioning should be limited to two or three minutes per speaker. Questions will not be asked in the Radio Spot Category. CATEGORIES DEMONSTRATION ** NEW CONTEST CATEGORY 2023** A Demonstration is a presentation where the contestant shows step by step how to do or make something. Some examples include: how to groom a rabbit for show, how to make a corsage, how to make balloon animals, etc. The contestant would prepare and bring all the supplies needed for their “how-to” demonstration. Supplemental materials such as posters with instructions, take-home directions, and samples for taste testing, etc. are encouraged. Demonstration - Juniors, Intermediates & Seniors: 3-15 minutes VISUAL PRESENTATION ** NEW CONTEST CATEGORY 2023** A Visual Presentation is a presentation using props (such as charts, PowerPoint slides, posters, animals, etc.) that help illustrate and accentuate the presentation. The props allow the audience to see and understand facts and concepts shared in the speech. Contestants should construct a speech like they were doing a prepared speech, and include pauses/breaks to point to a prop, hold up a poster, show slides, etc. These pauses should be factored into the overall time of the presentation. Contestant must provide all necessary props/equipment. Visual Presentation – Juniors: 3-5 minutes; Intermediates & Seniors: 4-6 minutes PREPARED SPEECH A Prepared Speech is a speech on any topic chosen by the 4-H member. Choose a topic that interests you; consider things like 4-H projects, hobbies, passions, school, community service, etc. Topics that might be considered controversial should be approved by the county 4-H staff in advance. 4-Hers should write, prepare, and practice their speech well in advance. Note cards containing a key word outline are permitted. Only juniors may use a complete script. Memorization is not encouraged. Presentation should NOT include an introduction of yourself. That will be provided by a room host. Prepared Speech – Juniors: 3-5 minutes; Intermediates & Seniors: 4-6 minutes EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEECH An Extemporaneous Speech is one that is done on the spot. The 4-H member will draw three different topics from those provided and will decide on one topic to speak on. Juniors & Intermediates will have 30 minutes to prepare their notes and presentation. Seniors will have 15 minutes to prepare their notes and presentation. Contestants may use one side of up to four, or both sides of up to two, 5 x 8 inch note cards for their key word outline. Extemporaneous speakers will be shown color time cards at correctly timed intervals indicating “30 SECONDS”, “1 MINUTE” AND “STOP”. Presentation should NOT include an introduction of yourself. That will be provided by a room host. Extemporaneous Speech – Juniors & Intermediates: 2-3 minutes; Seniors: 3-5 minutes RADIO SPOT A Radio Spot is an exactly 30 second “public address” or “public service announcement” you would hear on the radio. Radio spots may include a musical or sound effect introduction and/or background, but may not include a spoken introduction or “tag” by anyone other than the contestant. If music or a sound effect is used, the contestant must provide and operate the sound-making device. The contestant must provide a complete written script (including notations about music/sound effects) to the timekeeper to aid in timing accuracy. Musical/sound effect introductions and endings are considered a part of the radio spot and must not cause the 30 second time limit to be exceeded. The spot should relate to 4-H, be original, and be created by the contestant. Radio Spot – Juniors, Intermediates & Seniors: 30 seconds INTERPRETATION Interpretations are to be memorized oral interpretation or a selection of narrative in language of speaker’s choice. Interpretations consist of three categories: Permitted works include dramatic or humorous plays or books or poetry, but not the script of a television show or any unpublished source. For interpretation, contestant may choose to wear a costume and opt to sit for the presentation Interpretations – Juniors: 1 ½-3 minutes; Intermediates: 2-4 minutes; Seniors: 3-5 minutes DRAMATIC - Serious selection of narrative or dramatic literature. Monologues are acceptable. POETRY - Recite and interpret a poem from memory. HUMOROUS - Humorous selection of narrative or literature. Cuttings may be taken from published plays/prose