Public Speaking Guidelines — All Counties

4-H County & State Public Speaking Event Guidelines

Please read carefully!

Updated 1.7.26

PUBLIC SPEAKING CATEGORIES

  • Demonstration: A 4-H youth shows how to do something, while telling how it’s done. A demonstration is a “show how” and “tell how” presentation.
  • Illustrated Talk: A 4-H youth gives information about a subject and uses visuals to explain the topic, describing how to groom a steer, showing the life cycle of a butterfly, or sharing about a family trip would all be examples of this type of presentation.
  • Performing Arts: A 4-H youth introduces and gives their performance, a short dance routine, spoken word piece, or musical demonstration would all be examples of this type of presentation. See evaluation sheet for more information about spoken aspect requirements.
  • Team Demonstration, Illustrated Talk, or Performing Arts: As above, limit of two team members. If both team members are NOT from the same age division, rules for the member in the older division will be followed.

AGE CATEGORIES

All ages based on the age of the 4-H youth as of December 31 of the current 4-H year.

  • Cloverbuds (ages 5 to 8): May participate in any public speaking category (listed above) at the club or county event level for the experience, but not the State Showcase. They will not be judged, but they will receive helpful feedback and gain much from the experience for future presentations. Cloverbuds receive participation ribbons.
  • Juniors (ages 9 to 13)
  • Seniors (ages 14 to 18)

PRESENTATION TIME LIMITS

Official time keepers will deduct two points from the overall score if the presentation runs over/under the allotted time. The County and/or State Event chairperson has the right to stop a presentation that has exceeded the time limit.

  • Cloverbuds: 3-5 minutes in length
  • Juniors: 3-8 minutes in length
  • Seniors: 5-10 minutes in length

CLUB AND COUNTY EVENTS

Youth may consider choosing their topics and presentation types as early as December. They should prepare and practice their presentations in January. It is suggested that 4-H members compete in a club event or county workshop in February. County/Regional Events are typically held in March.

Contact your County Extension Office for more information: event dates, registration requirements and deadlines. 

Presentations will be judged based on the Danish System – see Evaluation Worksheets for more details.

VISUALS

Demonstrations

  • A white/light poster or powerpoint slide made by the 4-H youth for the demonstration is required. Use bold dark ink. State the ingredients or supplies needed, and state the source. It should not list the steps used to complete the demonstration.
  • A title poster or powerpoint slide is optional. Color, cut outs or drawings may enhance the poster, but should not take away from the main content. If you choose to include a title poster, it may be a separate board or you may put it on the back side of the required poster.

Illustrated Talks

  • Must use visuals that enhance the presentation. These may include posters, objects, costumes, slide shows, handouts, PowerPoint presentations and more.

Examples Coming Soon! 

STATE SHOWCASE PARTICIPATION

All youth in the junior and senior divisions (ages 9 to 18 in 4-H years) participating in a County Public Speaking Event – or are viewed and judged by their individual County Extension Office if no County Event is available – and receiving an average score of 68 or higher, are invited to present at the State Public Speaking Showcase – typically held the first weekend in April at the University of Maine campus in Orono.

4-H youth in the senior division who earn a Blue Ribbon at the State Showcase are invited to the Communications Science Team to represent Maine 4-H at the Eastern States Exhibition (Big E) in Springfield MA in September, the Northeast Region SpeakUp Fest in November, and other opportunities to explore and expand their skills.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

  • Live animals are not permitted.
  • Please note that, while youth may have assistance from other 4-H youth, parents and other adults are NOT allowed to help in any way.  Youth are encouraged to ask other 4-Hers to help them if they need any assistance. Two points will be deducted from the overall score if there is adult participation in a presentation or the set up of a presentation. Adult volunteers assigned to help with technology are an exception to this rule.

MORE HOW-TO MATERIALS

Visit the Maine 4-H Public Speaking website for guidelines, evaluation sheets, and more materials to support preparing presentations – including specific details for cooking demonstrations and sample demonstration and illustrated talk videos.

For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact your County Extension Office or contact Laura Personette at laura.personette@maine.edu or (207) 581-8213.