Hancock County 4-H Public Speaking

Every 4-H member in Hancock County is encouraged to participate in Public Speaking! 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.

Girl Giving Presentation on How to Make a Peanut Butter Pita — Youth from Jolly Juniors 4-H Club giving a presentation on How To Make Peanut Butter Pitas.

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.

“My favorite part of 4-H Public Speaking is pushing myself out of my comfort zone”

– Hancock County 4-H Public Speaking Participant

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 not a finished product as a result of the presentation.
Team Demonstration/Team Illustrated Talk: As above, limit of two team members. Each teams’ members (limit of two) must be from the same age division.

Planning your Public Speaking Presentation

Visit the Maine 4-H State Public Speaking Website for resources such as:

Preparation Materials: Key Elements of Demonstrations and Illustrated Talks
Sample youth presentations
Guidelines & Evaluation Criteria
Information about the Maine 4-H State Public Speaking Tournament

Hancock County Public Speaking Tournament

January 29 – Public Speaking Workshop at the Extension Office (2:00 pm – 4:00 pm)
February 5 – Snow Date for Public Speaking Workshop (2:00 pm – 4:00 pm)
March 11 – County Public Speaking Competition at the Extension Office (10:00 am)
March 18 – Snow Date for County Public Speaking Competition
April 8 – State Public Speaking Competition in Orono

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