The Rotary Four-Way Test
Speech Contest for:
Name of School Here
Sponsored by
The Rotary Club of ??????
2013-14 School Year
Rotary Club Sponsors &
Contest Committee
Local Club President:
Name?
Contest Committee:
Name 1
Name 2
etc
etc
“Name” High School
Contest Sponsors
Teachers:
List Names
Teaching the Four-Way Test to Students
The Rotary Club of “????” will promote the
Four-Way Test in “?????” High School in
the following way:
– High school students will address all four
questions by creating a speech involving the
Four-Way Test and competing in a Speech
Contest.
Origin of the Four-Way Test
• Created in 1932 by Rotarian
Herbert J. Taylor (Rotary International
President 1954-55), when asked to
take charge of an aluminum cookware
company facing bankruptcy.
• Adopted by Rotary in 1943.
• Translated into over 100 languages
and published in thousands of ways
as a ”simple measuring stick of ethics’.
Application of the Four-Way Test
• The Four-Way Test does not tell
us how to act ethically, but provides
us questions we can use to assess
whether our actions are ethical.
• The themes of these questions,
in order, are:
truth
justice
friendliness
helpfulness
• The questions apply to the “Things we
think, say or do” in any situation.
• We have the Four-Way Test to assess
the ethics of our actions.
It is often easier to list the reasons for
doing the wrong thing than for choosing
to do the right thing. More often than not,
the only reason for doing the right thing is
that it is the right thing.
- Marianne Jennings
What is in it for the student who participates?
• Besides the potential for a cash prize…
• Develop a greater appreciation for the role of ethics in
life.
• Learn about the objective and purpose of Rotary.
• Provide a resume building activity for any college
application.
• Further develop public speaking skills.
• Potential to compete in a TN state level speech
competition.
Eligibility
• Any “????” High School student may
compete
• Exception: Any previous 1st place winner
of a District 6760 Four-Way Test Speech
Contest.
Contest Rules
• Subject - Application of the Rotary Four-Way
Test to a topic of the contestant’s choice.
• Length of Speech - no less than four (4)
minutes and no more than six (6) minutes.
Penalty points will be deducted from the
contestant’s score for violation of time
constraints.
• Speech Content must be original.
• All contestants must be in the 9-12th grade at
time competition.
Rotary Four-4 Way Contest Rules (Detail)
Topic: Each contestant shall choose the topic of his/her speech. The purpose of the speech is to address
an ethical problem using the principles of the 4-Way Test. The problem to be addressed should be something
from the speaker’s personal experience or general knowledge. There are no restrictions regarding the choice of
topic as long as it is not blatantly offensive. If a contestant or coach is in doubt about the appropriateness of a
topic, he or she should check with the Club Contest Chair. The decision of the Contest Chair will be final.
In the speech, the topic must be specifically related to the Rotary 4-Way Test. This must be addressed during
the body of the speech and not reserved for concluding statements only. Each one of the four parts of the
Four Way Test should be addressed during the speech. They should be specifically stated, as the intent of the
speech is to use the Four Way Test to guide one’s decision making about an issue.
These are to be speeches and not dramatic presentations. Content should be relevant and in good taste.
All speeches must be the original work of the speaker.
Length: Speeches must be at least 4 minutes and no more than 6 minutes in length. Penalty points will be
subtracted for time infractions if a contestant’s speech runs either under the 4-minute minimum or over the
6-minute maximum.
Age: All contestants must be in the 9-12th grade at time competition.
Props: No props are to be used. Audience participation will be considered a prop.
Notes: Contestants may use notes as an aid at the club competition but the speech may not be read.
Judging Format
•
Evaluation and judging based upon speaking criteria:
– Opening - dynamic opening commanding immediate audience
attention
– Use of the Four-Way Test - each part of the 4 Way Test must be used in
the speech
– Content - clear, effective theme with supporting documentation,
examples and/or other data to support the main theme.
– Organization - well organized with an orderly presentation of
premise, contents and conclusion
– Delivery – Forceful, commanding, well-modulated, entertaining,
enlightening, and interesting with effective and correct use of the
English language (contestant must not read the speech)
– Overall reaction – speaker’s poise and effectiveness of speech in
leaving audience with a message, and the general impact of the
complete package: speaker, speech, delivery.
Rotary Club Level Contest
• “Name of H.S.” to choose 3 students to compete at the first level of
the contest (Rotary Club of “???” level). To be held “Club Date”
at the “Club level contest address”. Family members and
teachers are invited as guests (a head count must be given by
“Date”.
• The Rotary Club contest judging committee shall identify the club
contest winner using the judging guidelines in the Judging Format
Slide (see previous slide).
• The winner of the club level contest will receive a cash prize of
$100.00 from the Rotary Club Of “Name”. 2nd Place will receive
$75.00 and 3rd Place $50.00. (Club to determine appropriate
levels of club prizes)
• The winner of the club level contest will compete at the District
Semi-Finals.
Rotary District Semi-Finals
• The winner of the club level contest will
participate in the District Semi-Finals on March
29, 2014 at the AG Expo Park (4215 Long Lane)
Franklin, TN at 10:00AM.
• Participants will present their speeches to the
assembled group and competition judges.
(Judges will be from various Rotary Clubs.)
• Judges will select winners using the judging
guidelines in the Judging Format Slide.
• Top three winners will receive $100.00 awards
for Semi-Finals Competition Phase.
• A maximum of three (3) contestants will be
selected for participation in the District Finals.
Rotary District Finals
• The final competition for District Championship will be
Saturday, April 26, 2014, at the District Conference at
Paris Landing State Park. (Transportation will be
provided by the Rotary Club sponsoring the
participant if needed.)
• The participants present their speeches to the
assembled Rotarians at the District Conference;
selected judges will evaluate and judge each speech,
using the Judging Guidelines in the Judging Format
Slide.
• Cash prizes will be awarded as follows:
– 1st prize - $ 1,000.00
– 2nd prize - $ 100.00
– 3rd prize – $ 100.00
For more information about the
Rotary 4 Way Speech Contest:
• Contact the following teachers at “Name”
High School
• Name 1 (List teacher sponsor names)
• Name 2
• etc
Thanks to the following
contributors:
We gratefully acknowledge the contribution of content from various
Rotary organizations from across the country in assembling this
Presentation for the Four Way Speech Contest.
Specifically:
District 7430
District 5190
District 5300
District 6510
District 6630
And many more……