North Dakota
4-H Consumer Choices
~Reasons~

You will use this form for organizing your oral reasons:

I place this class of ___         (name of class)_________, _____, _____, _____, _____. (place numbers in these blanks)

I place _____ over _____ because:
    Compare - reasons why the first is better than the second; list in order of importance.
    Grant - any comparisons where the second excels the first; in some pairs there may be nothing to grant.

I place _____ over _____ because:
    Compare
    Grant

I place _____ over _____ because:
    Compare
    Grant

I place _____ last because:
    Statement of facts.

For these reasons I place this class of ________________________, _____, _____, _____, _____.

Here is a sample situation:
Tanner wants a cuddly pet. He wants one that does not need daily care. He wants a furry pet.

The class items are:
Item #1. Fish
Item #2. Spider 
Item #3. Dog
Item #4. Cat

The reasons for Tanner's Pet Class are as follows:

I place this class of Pets 4, 3, 2, 1.

I place 4 over 3 because cats can take care of themselves better than dogs

I place 3 over 2 because dogs are cuddly while spiders are not
Dogs are furry while spiders are not

I place 2 over 1 because spiders do not need daily care while fish do

I place 1 last because fish are not cuddly
They need daily care
They are not furry

For these reasons I place this class of pets 4, 3, 2, 1

When presenting reasons, keep these tips in mind:

• Use correct grammar and enunciate words properly.
• Practice "seeing the class" in your mind's eye when you are giving reasons.
• Have your reasons well organized and present them in a logical sequence.
• Follow the 4-H dress code.
• Be neatly groomed.
• Stand in a straight, comfortable position.
• Present your reasons in a pleasing and confident matter.
• Your reasons need to be convincing, impressive, interesting and sincere, but brief.
• Speak with a convincing tone placing greatest emphasis on the most important words.
• Be accurate in your statements.
• Your voice needs to be clear and loud enough to be heard.
• Giving more details in your reasons will give you more points. Example: instead of saying #1 is less expensive than #2, say #1 is less expensive since it costs $1.50 as compared to #2 which costs $3.50.

                    Accuracy and thoroughness................................30 points
                    Presentation (manner of speaking)......................15 points
                    Appearance.........................................................5 points
                    Perfect Reasons Score........................................50 points