Speeches
Speeches is an optional 4-h activity, but is highly beneficial to the members
development in teaching them speaking skills. Juniors must present a 3-5
minute speech on any topic they chose. Senior members are required to
present a 5-7 minute speech with an additional 1-2 minute impromptu speech.
An impromptu speech is where the member is given a topic chosen by others
and have 1 minute to prepare a speech on it.
development in teaching them speaking skills. Juniors must present a 3-5
minute speech on any topic they chose. Senior members are required to
present a 5-7 minute speech with an additional 1-2 minute impromptu speech.
An impromptu speech is where the member is given a topic chosen by others
and have 1 minute to prepare a speech on it.
Tips for Speeches
-Start writing as soon as possible to give yourself plenty of time.
-Pick a topic that interests you and you know about. You will speak much stronger
and confidently if you are passionate about the subject.
- Have a short introduction at the start. Make it catchy and sum up what your
speech will be about.
- After the intro. welcome the judges and audience. Something like " Thank you
madame chairperson, welcome honorable judges, ladies and gentlemen, boys and
girls, and fellow 4-h members and competitors." You thank the chairperson for introducing you.
DO NOT thank the audience for listening to you.
- Make the body of your speech interesting. Do not just list off facts or
statistics. While a few of these are interesting, do not have too many. Make
some jokes throughout the speech to lighten things up.
-Wrap the speech up with something that sums up your whole speech and what you have to
say.
- Have your speech nearly memorized so as to not stare down at your cards the
whole time.
- While practicing at home keep in mind that when we are nervous we tend to
speak faster than normal, so make your speech slightly longer than the given
time. Speak as if in slow motion; it will sound normal to your
audience.
- Give eye contact to the judges and different people in the audience. Parents, friends,
and people who look interested in what you are saying are easy to make eye contact with.
- Try and just focus on what you are saying and not the fact that you are in front
of everyone.
- Smile and have fun! Remember; it is not about if you can deliver an amazing
speech or not, most of us can't (I know I sure can't!). This is about improving
yourself as a confident, mature contributing member of society, which is what
the 4-h program is all about. So don't worry if you are good at presenting a
speech or not. Just try your best and have fun!
You can expect to recieve a written set of comments from the judges on your speech.
View these comments as constructuve criticism that can help you improve
your speech for next time. Judges comments are designed to help make even
the best better.
-Pick a topic that interests you and you know about. You will speak much stronger
and confidently if you are passionate about the subject.
- Have a short introduction at the start. Make it catchy and sum up what your
speech will be about.
- After the intro. welcome the judges and audience. Something like " Thank you
madame chairperson, welcome honorable judges, ladies and gentlemen, boys and
girls, and fellow 4-h members and competitors." You thank the chairperson for introducing you.
DO NOT thank the audience for listening to you.
- Make the body of your speech interesting. Do not just list off facts or
statistics. While a few of these are interesting, do not have too many. Make
some jokes throughout the speech to lighten things up.
-Wrap the speech up with something that sums up your whole speech and what you have to
say.
- Have your speech nearly memorized so as to not stare down at your cards the
whole time.
- While practicing at home keep in mind that when we are nervous we tend to
speak faster than normal, so make your speech slightly longer than the given
time. Speak as if in slow motion; it will sound normal to your
audience.
- Give eye contact to the judges and different people in the audience. Parents, friends,
and people who look interested in what you are saying are easy to make eye contact with.
- Try and just focus on what you are saying and not the fact that you are in front
of everyone.
- Smile and have fun! Remember; it is not about if you can deliver an amazing
speech or not, most of us can't (I know I sure can't!). This is about improving
yourself as a confident, mature contributing member of society, which is what
the 4-h program is all about. So don't worry if you are good at presenting a
speech or not. Just try your best and have fun!
You can expect to recieve a written set of comments from the judges on your speech.
View these comments as constructuve criticism that can help you improve
your speech for next time. Judges comments are designed to help make even
the best better.