Speak Up, Maine 4-H: Showcase Your Spark!
Every 4-H member in Hancock County is encouraged to participate in Speak Up, Maine 4-H! Youth choose a topic of their choice and then practice the important life skill of public speaking by giving presentations to their clubs, community, and at the county and state tournaments.
“My favorite part of 4-H Public Speaking is pushing myself out of my comfort zone”
– Hancock County 4-H Public Speaking Participant
When preparing for a 4-H Presentation, youth learn how to:
- Research a subject
- Organize their ideas
- Share their knowledge and passion with others
- Create and use visuals to support their presentation
When youth carry out a public speaking presentation, they demonstrate advanced skills and a deeper understanding of what they learned.
Types of Presentations
- Demonstration: In a 4-H demonstration, the youth shows how to do something while telling how it’s done. It is called a “show how” and “tell how” presentation. The work is performed before your eyes, and there is a finished product at the end.
- Illustrated Talk: In a 4-H illustrated talk, the youth gives information about a subject and uses visuals to explain the subject. Unlike a demonstration, the work is not performed before your eyes, and there is no finished product as a result of the presentation.
- Performing Arts: A new category this year! From dramatic monologues to musical performances, this creative category is your time to express yourself and share your spark center stage. Performing Arts demonstrations include: a spoken introduction, your performance, and a spoken conclusion.
- Team Demonstration/Team Illustrated Talk: As above, limit of two team members. Each team’s members (limit of two) must be from the same age division.
Planning your Presentation
Visit the Maine 4-H State Speak Up, Maine 4-H Website for resources such as: