Public Speaking Rules & Resources

NEW for 2010! Team Communications Award

1.  For a state to be considered for this award, they must have entries in at least two of the communications contests (public speaking, individual presentation, team presentation).

2.  A total score for each state will be calculated by adding the final scores for each contest entry.

3.  Ties will be broken first by the combined judges’ delivery scores, second by the combined judges’ organization scores, and third by combined judges’ content and accuracy scores.

4.  Awards will be presented to the top ten state entries based on the above criteria.

CONTESTANTS AND ELIGIBILITY

1. Each state is invited to enter one contestant in this contest.

2. Individuals may be selected by any procedure which a state deems appropriate.

3. As of January 1 of the year in which this event is held, contestants must be at least 14 years of age, but not have reached his or her 19th birthday.

4. All contestants must be members of 4-H in the state they are representing during the year in which this event is held and participation eligibility must be certified by the State 4-H Leader.

5.  Certification of participation eligibility should consider the following: “This contestant has not participated in post-secondary coursework in the subject area of the national 4-H competition, nor has he or she participated in training for post-secondary competition in the subject area of the national 4-H competition.”  See details below.

 A.        Post-secondary undergraduate students may participate in and/or complete freshman and sophomore level equine management or communications courses.  Students completing a junior, senior or graduate level equine and/or communications course are ineligible to participate in the National 4-H Horse Competition.

 B.         Students are ineligible to participate in a National 4-H Horse Competition if they are currently enrolled in courses that provide specific training for the competitive event in which they are participating.  For example, student participation in collegiate horse judging events, on intercollegiate horse judging teams and in intercollegiate communication events would eliminate a 4-Her’s eligibility to participate in the National 4-H Horse Competition.

6. Contestants (including team alternates) may participate in only one contest per year at the Roundup. After competing in this contest, they are ineligible to compete in the same specific contest again. Contestants must not have competed previously in this contest in the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup in Louisville or the Western National 4-H Horse Classic in Denver, CO. States may only send one team per contest to a national event, either the Eastern or Western, but not both.


THE CONTEST

1. The subject must pertain to the equine industry. Speeches, not appropriately related to the equine industry can be disqualified at the discretion of the judges.

2. No visual aids may be used.

3. No coaching from parents or coaches during the speech.

4. Contestants may use notes. However, excessive use of notes may be counted against the contestant. This will be at the discretion of the judges.

5. A public address system will not be used during the contest, but a podium will be provided.

6. During the event, the contestants may introduce themselves by name, state and speech topic.

7. Speeches should be 7-10 minutes in length. Three points will be deducted from the total score on each judge’s score sheet for every minute (or fraction of a minute) under 7 minutes or over 10 minutes.

8. Contestants should cite their major references after the conclusion of their speech. This time will not be counted in the allotted time.

9. Only the judge(s) may ask questions of the contestant in the contest. Question time will not be counted in the allotted time. Contestants should repeat the question then answer it.

10. Contestants may use video recorders to tape their own presentations. It is the responsibility of the coach/speaker to provide all necessary recording equipment.

11. No videotaping or photographing of presentations is allowed during the contest, except by respective coaches or their designees.

12. Contestant order will be determined by a random drawing and will be announced at the Coaches meeting.

13.  Three judges will be used and judges will score each entry independently and assign scores.  After all presentations are presented and scores are tabulated, judges may confer and discuss evaluations.  Each judge assigns his or her final scores and then cumulative final scores are tabulated to determine the final placings.  Contest superintendents may review and check tabulation of scores for mathematical accuracy.

14. Ties will be broken first by the judges’ accumulated delivery score, second by the judges’ accumulated organization score and third on content and accuracy score.

15. Improper attire will be a violation and appropriate points deducted on the scorecard. Improper attire will be determined at the discretion of the judges.  Business attire or dress appropriate to the speech is acceptable.

16. The judges will consider the questions listed under each section. The points on the score card will be as follows:

A. INTRODUCTION                          10 points

1. Did the introduction serve to create interest in the subject?

2. Was the introduction short and to the point?

B. ORGANIZATION                          15 points

1. Were the main points easy to follow?

2. Were the main points arranged in the best order?

3. Were the sentences short and easy to understand?

4. Was the speech interesting?

C. CONTENT AND ACCURACY                 20 points

1. Were the facts and information accurate?

2. Was there enough information concerning the subject?

3. Was credit given to the sources of information, if it was appropriate?

4. Was the content appropriately related to the equine industry?

D. STAGE PRESENCE                                   15 points

1. Was the speaker neat and appropriately dressed?

2. Did the speaker talk directly to and look at the audience?

3. Was the speaker’s posture erect, but not stiff?

4. Did the speaker refrain from leaning on the podium?

5. Did the speaker seem relaxed and at ease?

E. DELIVERY                                     20 points

1. Did the speaker have appropriate voice control?

2. Were all word pronounced correctly?

3. If notes were used, was it done without detracting from the speech?

4. Did the speaker seem to choose words at the time they were spoken as opposed to a memorized or ready-type delivery?

F. GENERAL                                      10 points

1. Did the speaker convey to the audience a sense of wanting to communicate?

2. Did the speech reflect the thoughts and personality of the speaker?

G. CONCLUSION                                         10 points

1. Was the conclusion short and interesting?

2. Did the conclusion properly wrap up the speech?

3. Could the speaker handle questions easily?


Please refer to other pages at www.4hroundup.com for additional information.

KJH 3-10

The Eastern National 4-H Horse 
Roundup is part of the
North American International Livestock Exposition

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Questions or Comments?
Email Jennifer Elwell, Contest Chair

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