Resources to Assist You in Planning Your Presentation

Below are some great resources to help you get going.

Preparation Materials

• Key Elements of the 4-H Demonstration
• Key Elements of the 4-H Illustrated Talk
• Key Elements of the 4-H Performing Arts Presentation
• Cooking Demonstration Guidelines

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Sample Maine 4-H Public Speaking Presentations

These videos are designed to help youth, parents, 4-H leaders, and evaluators as examples of “Blue,” “Red,” and “White” presentations. Use these as guides as you prepare your presentation and prepare to evaluate the presentations of others.

For each video, there is a sample Evaluation sheet, meant to represent what the youth would actually expect to receive after presenting.

Finally, the “Evaluator’s Scoring Explanation” documents list specific notes relevant to each video (what was missing/needed improvement/was exceptional). These may or may not be included on the youth’s Evaluation sheet.

Note: The videos below were recorded prior to the 2026 Evaluation Sheet updates and therefor may not include a specific 4-H statement as now required. The evaluation sheets linked to each video are the old version, but the scoring and feedback shown still accurately show Blue, Red, and White ribbon performances. 

4-H Public Speaking Presentation Directory

• Junior Level Single Cooking Demonstration
• Junior Level Team Demonstration
• Senior Level Single Illustrated Talk
• Junior Level Single Illustrated Talk
• How to Impromptu

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4-H Public Speaking Demonstration: Junior Level Single Cooking Demonstration

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4-H Public Speaking Demonstration: Junior Level Team Demonstration

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4-H Public Speaking Demonstration: Senior Level Single Illustrated Talk

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4-H Public Speaking Demonstration: Junior Level Single Illustrated Talk

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 How to Impromptu

Impromptu is a fun non-scored category that gives participants the opportunity to practice off-the-cuff presentations. Youth are given three topics to choose from and have a few minutes to prepare a short presentation for the audience.

While Impromptu talks are not scored, participants can expect to receive feedback from judges and peers. Impromptu may be included at County Public Speaking Events and youth who participate at the State Showcase may also be able to participate in the Impromptu category as a bonus opportunity.

• Impromptu Speech Evaluation Sheet (PDF)
• Impromptu Speech Guidelines

This video demonstrates how to give an Impromptu Speech:

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Other Public Speaking Video Resources

• It’s Showtime! How to Demonstrate the 4-H Way (YouTube, New Mexico State University)

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