Be A 4-H Public Speaker
Give a 4-H Presentation !
Demonstration
Illustration
Speech
Why Do A 4-H Presentation?
 Learn how to speak in front of a group
 Learn how to get organized
 Develop confidence and poise
 Teach something to others
 Earn recognition
Kinds of Presentations
 Demonstration:
 Show and tell how to do something using
materials and posters
 Illustrated Talk :
 Describe how to do something using only
posters
 Speech:
 Talk without any visual aids
 PowerPoint Presentation:
 Talk about your subject with electronic-audio
visuals
Selecting A Topic
 What do you know? What do you like to do?
 Write down ideas
 Brainstorm ideas with other people
 Visit the internet
 Visit the library
Speech Ideas
 Inform, explain, demonstrate or teach
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Ex. Hobby
 Persuade or convince
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Ex. Campaign for a cause
 Inspire or bring about an emotional response
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Ex. Talk about a hero
 Entertain
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Ex. Talk about a trip
How Much Time?
 Demonstrations & Illustrated Talks
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2-5 minutes for Cloverbuds and Juniors (5-11)
5-10 minutes for Intermediates (12-13)
10-15 minutes for Seniors (14-19)
 Speech
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3-6 minutes for Juniors and Intermediates
5-7 minutes for Seniors
Good Visual Aids
 Use posters large enough to be
seen (22” x 28”)
 Use large letters (2 1/2” - 3”)
 Stick to 2-3 colors - Dark letters on light
background
 Keep it simple
 Make sure you can handle all your posters
Plan Your Presentation
 Ask questions about yourself

Am I interested in this?
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Am I comfortable with this topic?
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Do I have time enough to do this topic?
Keep Planning
 Ask questions about your audience
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Will people be interested in the speech?
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What can I do to make the speech meaningful for
people?
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Will people understand the topic?
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Will people be comfortable with the topic?
Organizing Your Ideas
 Idea Web
Dog Care
Feeding
Health
Diet
Timetable
Grooming
Obedience
Veterinary Care
Everyday care
Equipment
Techniques
Commands
Programs
Make An Outline
 I. Introduction to Idea (Dog Care)
 II. Main Idea #1 (Feeding)
 Thoughts
 III Main Idea #2 (Grooming
 Thoughts
 IV. Main Idea #3 (Obedience)
 Thoughts
 V. Main Idea #4 (Health)
 Thoughts
 VI. Conclusion
Writing the Introduction
 The Introduction (Approximately 15% of the
speech)
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Capture attention
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A short story
A statistic or interesting fact
A quotation or familiar saying
A question for the audience
A familiar experience or situation
Relate the topic to the audience
Preview the main points of the speech
Body of the Presentation
 Explanation of your topic in a speech
 Action part of a demonstration
*one step at a time
*describe what you’re doing
*keep it simple and neat
*use visual aids to assist you
*have interesting things to say to fill in the gaps
Conclusion of the Speech
 The conclusion (Approximately 5% of the
speech)
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Signal the close of the speech
Reinforce the main points
End strongly
End with a quotation or verse that fits the topic
Suggest something for the audience to do
The Language of Your Speech
 Use ordinary words
 Avoid long complicated sentences
 It’s okay to use contractions (can’t instead of
cannot), but don’t over do it.
Using Notes
 Use only one side of each card
 Use a separate card for the introduction and
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conclusion
Try to limit each main point in your speech to one
card
Number your cards
Print largely and neatly
Don’t use pencil or messy pen – Use highlighters to
emphasize certain points
Write helpful hints on cards (Make eye contact)
Vocal Delivery
 Volume – loud enough, but not too loud –
look at the faces of your audience
 Variety – not a flat voice – enthusiasm,
confidence
 Rate – not too slow not too fast – practice
with a tape recorder
 Pronunciation – make sure you’re sure!
 Enunciation – speak clearly
Non Verbal Communication
 Personal appearance
 Eye contact
 Facial expression
 Posture and movement
 Gestures
Practicing Your Speech
 In front of a mirror
 Stand up
 Record your speech
 Practice in front of friends
 Pay attention to practicing the introduction
(You’re most nervous in the beginning)
Memorize or not memorize? Just memorize the parts
that need to be said exactly.
Coping With Criticism
 Don’t forget there’s always more to learn.
Read the judge’s comments with an open
mind
 Remember, you don’t have to always agree
with everything the judge says.
 Use the judge’s feedback to become an even
better speaker.
Congratulations
 You have made the decision to become a
public speaker!
You
Are
A
4-H Public
Speaker!