Learn and improve your       communication skills!

• County and MPU Event Information Memo

• Communication Arts Program

• Guide for Awards/Recognition Presentations

• Host Things To Do

• Judges' Orientation

• Sponsors

• a commercial - A presentation to convince an audience to buy an idea or product.  Participants can use posters, flip charts, diagrams or objects as long as brand names are concealed.  Commercials need to include an introduction, a body and a closing statement.  A team of two individuals may do a commercial together.  Each participant must have a speaking role and both must be in the same age division. Commercials last 1-3 minutes.
   
• a short take - A presentation given from a topic drawn by the participants when they enter the room without advanced preparation.  After participants receive their topic they are given a note card and have 10 minutes to prepare.  Topics are on 4-H themes. Teens and preteens have different topics.  Presentations need to be organized to include an introduction, body and a summary.  A maximum of 5 minutes speaking time is allowed.  A monitor will hold up a warning card at 4-1/2 minutes.   The preteen division has a 1 minute minimum; teen 2 minutes minimum.
   
• a broadcast - Presenters prepare a radio or television broadcast that may be read from a script. The broadcast may be a newscast with four to five items of about 30-45 seconds each or a more in-depth story addressing a topic.  Each participant introduces themselves in the following manner: "This is _____ reporting."  A team of two individuals may do a broadcast together.  Each participant must have a speaking role and both must be in the same age division.  In-depth stories last a maximum of eight minutes.
   
• a speech - The presentation is composed by the presenter.  No more than 10% of a speech may be quotations.  Notes may be used for reference, but reading from notes is discouraged.  Singing, tapes, visuals or costumes are not permitted.  Presentations by preteens last 3-8 minutes; by teen, 5-8 minutes.  At some events, presentations may be divided into a theme and any topic categories.
   
• a demonstration - A demonstration is a presentation that involves "showing how to do something," "how to make something," or "how something works" and may display a finished product. Presentations may last a maximum time of 12 minutes. If the presentation is to include guns, check with the facility where the event will be held to determine restrictions, etc.  
   
• an illustrated talk - A speech with visual aids.  They are oral presentations in
  which charts, posters, figures or real objects are used to explain an idea or procedure.  
  The presenter explains how something works or how to do something, but does not actually show the working object or demonstrate the process.  
   
• a dramatic presentation - Oral dramatic presentations are based on an original or a published piece performed in a creative, inspiring or thought-provoking manner. Presenters may write their own material or use published material that is designed for dramatic presentation by one or two people.  The presenter combines words and actions in order to put across the material to either entertain or educate the audience - or both. The presentation begins with a brief introduction which includes the source and author of the material, and perhaps an explanation of why it was selected.  A costume, make-up or props are not required.  A summary or conclusion is not necessary.  This category is not a reading, but notes are allowed.  An individual or team of two may do a dramatic presentation. Preteen presentations last 3-8 minutes; teen 5-8 minutes.  At some events, presentations may divided into a theme and any topic categories.
   
• an interpretive reading - An oral presentation of words taken from any published source, including poetry, fiction, children's literature, news articles, speeches, letters and journals.  The purpose of the interpretive reading is to communicate the author's thoughts expressively.  The presentation begins with a brief introduction that gives the source and the author.  The introduction may also explain the reason for the selection. The reading is presented with a script in hand.  This requires keeping some eye contact with the audience and evoking a mood through vocal expression.  A summary or conclusion is not necessary.  Visual aids, tapes or costumes are not permitted. Preteen presentations last 3-8 minutes; teen 5-8 minutes.  At some events, presentations may be divided into a theme and any topic categories.
   
•  a cloverbud recitation - County and MPU´s may offer a "recitation only" category for Cloverbuds. This category is non-competitive and provides equal recognition for all participants. This optional category provides young participants an opportunity to make presentations without the task of finding or writing material and without the stress of competition. Recitation of the 4-H Pledge, Pledge of Allegiance or other simple verses is appropriate. Recitation is a participation (non-competitive) event and may be available at the local, county or MPU event.
   
• presentation software 4-Her will create and deliver a presentation utilizing presentation software (i.e. MS PowerPoint, Corel Presentations, etc.). At least 90% of the    presentation must be created during the current 4-H year.  4-Her´s are responsible for securing any equipment necessary for judging. Extension staff may be able to assist in this    process, but it is the responsibility of the exhibitor to contact Extension staff WELL BEFORE the scheduled judging. The ideal situation is to deliver the presentation with a computer and LCD projector, but the use of transparencies and an overhead projector is also possible if LCD projector and computer are not available. Information sources used should be credited and documented in the presentation (i.e. books, Internet, 4-H or Extension publications, persons with special knowledge, magazines or other publications). Participants will be judged on both the presentation and the workmanship & techniques of project graphic design. An individual or team of two individuals may participate in Presentation Software. Each participant must have a speaking role during the presentation and both must be in the same age division.  Presentations will be between 2-12 minutes for pre-teens and 4-12 minutes for teens. Click here for more guidelines.
   
• video production - Youth shoot footage, edit and produce a 3-5 minute video, present their final product to the judges, and participate in an oral presentation about video production, including when, how and why his/her video was created. The finished product can either be VHS or DVD. Individual or team of two individuals may participate. Individuals or teams of two develop a video using their choice of music and video production techniques including, but not limited to, video footage, still photography, computer animations or a combination of techniques. Presentations will be between 2-12 minutes for pre-teens and 4-12 minutes for teens. Click here for more guidelines.
   
• web site design - Contestants create a website on a topic of their choice. They are judged on content, appearance, design, technical performance and the presentation of their  web site. Participants will give an oral presentation about what they learned, why they  decided to create the web site on the chosen topic and show their web site. An individual or team of two individuals may participate in the web site design category. Each participant must have a speaking role during the presentation and both must be in the same age division. Presentations will be between 2-12 minutes for pre-teens and 4-12 minutes for teens. Click here for more guidelines.
   
• promote 4-H  - Contestants identify a non-4-H audience and demonstrate a promotional method, which communicates the ideas or ideals of the 4-H program. Methods might include: radio, television, demonstrations, newspaper, posters, projected images, drama, photographs, slide/tape presentations, videos, puppets, PSA´s, speeches, skits, PowerPoint's, web site, etc. Can be individual or teams of two individuals from the same age division. Participants will give a presentation on that will explain why they chose the delivery  method, the topic and how they have used or are planning to use the promotional materials. Presentations will be between 2-12 minutes for pre-teens and 4-12 minutes for teens. Click here for more guidelines.