Public Presentations
Ayla Bakk, Mat-Su/Copper River "Discover the Arabian" Blue ribbon, Purple ribbon, Grand Champion
Marianne Bakk, Mat-Su/Copper River "What is Colic?" Blue ribbon, Purple ribbon, Grand Champion
Ian Chibuly, Kenai Peninsula "Leopard Geckos" Red ribbon
Daya Howard, Tanana "If you don't use 'em you lose 'em" Red ribbon
-Junior Prepared Speech-
Aaron Wilburn, Kenai Peninsula "Slugs" Red ribbon
-Intermediate Illustrated Talk-
Any Wandling, Tanana "How do horses stay warm in the winter?" Blue ribbon, Grand Champion
Amelia Raisanen, Mat-Su/Copper River "Honey Bees" Blue ribbon, Reserve Champion
Kyrie Cook, Mat-Su/Copper River "Internal and External Parasites in Horses" Red ribbon
Adela Pederson, Kenai Peninsula "Training a Sled Dog Team" Red ribbon
-Senior Illustrated Talk-
Haley Agostine, Tanana "Prosthetics for Horses" Blue ribbon, Division Champion
Isabelle Miller, Tanana "Choosing a Western Pleasure Horse" Blue ribbon, Reserve Champion
-Senior Prepared Speech-
Should I do a presentation?
YES! When 4-H alumni are asked what the most useful skill they learned from 4-H was, a frequent response is: Public speaking!
Does the thought of speaking in front of others make you sweat? 4-H presentations to the rescue! Practicing and participating in presentation opportunities in 4-H will help you:
- Learn to organize and present information
- Gain self-confidence and public speaking skills
- Become more knowledgeable and teach others
- Respond to questions
- Compete for awards and recognition
Types of 4-H Presentations
Most 4-H presentations contests include the following categories: Demonstrations, Illustrated Talks & Speeches - find out more below!!
Keep in mind: Regardless of the type, all presentations should include the 3 main parts outlined in this publication: the Introduction, the Body & The Conclusion.
A Demonstration shows how to do something. Visual aids and posters may be used.
A demonstration is doing.
- A demonstration is showing how by making or doing something.
- A demonstration should have a finished product.
- A demonstration is best given to a smaller audience so everyone can see it.
The body of a demonstration could include a talent (skit, musical number, comedy, etc.) or cultural arts (dramatic reading, music, dance or other performing arts).
Find out more about how to give a demonstration
2017 Division Champion: Junior Demonstration, Tanana District
An illustrated talk is telling how by showing pictures, charts, models, graphs, equipment, etc. An illustrated talk is talking.
- An illustrated talk may or may not have a finished product.
- An illustrated talk can involve a larger audience.
Illustrated Talk on Swine Domestication. Kenai, AK
A prepared speech is written and delivered by the member.
- It may be informative, persuasive or entertaining.
- Note cards may be used but no visual aids are permitted.
2018 Division Champion: Senior Prepared Speech, Matanuska District
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should my presentation be?
Cloverbud (ages 5-7): 3–5 minutes
Junior (ages 8-11): 5–15 minutes
Intermediate (ages 12-14): 7–15 minutes
Senior (ages 15-18): 10–20 minutes
Do I have to have a poster?
Demonstrations, illustrated talks and team presentations need a title poster, which should include:
- The title of demonstration or illustrated talk
- Name and grade level of presenter
- Your club name (optional)
PowerPoint and similar presentations need a title slide, to include the previous information.
Does my topic have to be related to my 4-H project?
No!!** Pick a topic that is interesting to you and preferably one that is familiar to you. Limit your presentation to one process or main idea. Learn all the facts you can about your subject. Plan the steps and what you will do or say. After you have the plan, choose a catchy title!
**Please check with your district to be sure there are not district-specific requirements!
Do setup and take down get judged?
Yes! Setup and take down is part of the presentation and is judged; it should be done by the 4-H’er. Arrangement of materials must be convenient and attractive and allow the audience to see all steps of the workmanship.
What are the three parts of a presentation?
Introduction: Tell them what you are going to tell them.
Your job is to:
- Get the audience’s attention.
- Introduce yourself (name, age, 4-H club, years in 4-H). This can be done before or after the overview.
- Give a quick overview. Perhaps tell how you became interested in the topic.
Body: Tell them.
This is the main part of the presentation. Tell the audience what you want them to do or learn.
- Pick two or three basic points and plan your outline around these points.
- If you are showing or explaining how to do something, the audience must know:
- What is being explained.
- How it is being done.
- Why it is being done.
Show all the steps in the process so the audience gets the complete picture or completed project at the end. If appropriate, show the finished product.
Conclusion or Summary: Tell them what you told them.
- Review the two or three main points of your presentation.
- Help your audience want to try your ideas
- Ask for questions. Repeat the questions or work them into your answer. If you don’t know the answer, say so and offer to find out and get back to them.
- After the questions, end with: − “Thank you” or “This completes my presentation”
- A paper, recipe, resource list or other handout for future reference
- Samples to show or share with your audience
- A smile!
Where can I find more help on creating visuals?
The Alaska 4-H Presentations Guide has a lot of help on page 4 specific to using visuals, as well as poster and display guidelines.
Let's Get Started!
A Few Tips & Tricks:
- Get a good night sleep and eat a healthy meal before your presentation. If you think you’ll need a glass of water, have one ready.
- Get to know the equipment you'll be using – especially if you’re planning to use computer and/or projection equipment.
- Have a backup plan in case of emergencies such as a power outage.
- A little warm up exercise (shaking your hands and arms, wiggling your tongue, stretching your neck and mouth, etc.) will help loosen you up.
- Work space: Have everything as neat and orderly as possible. Use lists to be sure you have everything you need and trays and pails for carrying and organizing supplies. Arrange posters in order of use. Remember you are judged on set up and take down!
- Avoid reading your notes. Put your outline on a card or on your poster so you can refer to it, but not read it.
- Study the judging sheet to see where and how points are awarded
- Use good posture, look neat and clean, and dress the part.
- Avoid nervous habits such as swaying from side to side, putting your hands in your pockets or standing on one foot, saying “ya know,” “um,” etc.
- Be sure to look at your audience even when you are demonstrating (be sure to practice). Don’t just look at the judge or mom
- No gum chewing please.
- Clean hands and nails are a plus!
- Have good, gentle eye contact with your audience. Stand tall.
(1) Show enthusiasm for your topic. Look like you enjoy what you’re presenting (others will too). Weave personal experience into your presentation where appropriate. (2) (3) Again, bring notes, but do not read directly from them (this cuts down on eye contact.) (4) Make your voice gentle, loud, and clear. (You’ll have a microphone at Fair.) (5) Name any supplies and hold them up so that your audience can see. (6) Keep your work/demonstration area organized – move materials from right to left if you are right handed, or left to right if you are left-handed. (7) Label the backs of posters, books, etc. that you’ll want to reference during your presentation (but you don’t want your audience to necessarily see). (8) Goof-ups happen to everyone! Go right ahead with your presentation; explain what happened. (9) Thank your audience for their attention.
Talk while you are demonstrating, avoid long periods of silence. Practice “doing” while talking.
- Show enthusiasm for your topic. Look like you enjoy what you’re presenting (others will too). Weave personal experience into your presentation where appropriate.
- Again, bring notes, but do not read directly from them (this cuts down on eye contact.)
- Make your voice gentle, loud, and clear.
- Name any supplies and hold them up so that your audience can see.
- Talk while you are demonstrating, avoid long periods of silence. Practice “doing” while talking.
- Speak slowly, clearly and loud enough to be heard in the back row
- Remember, goof-ups happen to everyone! Go right ahead with your presentation; explain what happened if necessary.
- Thank your audience for their attention when you are finished.
- Ask for questions. Repeat the questions or work them into your answer. If you don’t know the answer, say so and offer to find out and get back to them.
Practice, Practice, Practice!
Information on this page taken from UAF Publication 4-H Presentations.
Additional Resources
Statewide Opportunities
2022 Alaska Statewide Presentation Contest
Each year, our Alaska Team partners with the AVLO to offer a statewide presentation contest.
Districts submit names of Champion & Reserve Champion in each age division and each category by June 1st.