This document provides guidance for judging 4-H educational presentations and communications events. It outlines goals such as helping youth develop skills and educating audiences. It offers tips for judges to introduce themselves, explain procedures, and provide positive feedback focused on content, delivery, and visual aids. Specific criteria are described for different event types, including public speaking, working exhibits, performances, and more. The overall focus is to create positive experiences for 4-H participants.

1. Judging
Communications
2013

2. Educational Presentations

3.  To make sure the youth has a positive
experience
 To help them develop their
communication skills
 To educate the audience on a given topic
Goals

4.  Introduce yourself.
 Put the youth at
ease.
 Explain the
conference judging
procedure if
superintendent does
not.
Before

5.  SMILE!!!!
 Make notes
 Be ready to pose a
question at the end.
 Evaluate content, visual
aids, and delivery
 Audience response?
During

6.  Ask about what they learned or how they came
up with their topic
 What skills did they learn from this project?
 Feedback about presentation
◦ ―I really liked how you...‖
◦ ―I noticed you...‖
 End positive. Encourage them to do their
presentation again somewhere.
After—Conference Judging

7.  Introductions that get attention
 Thesis statement with 3 (or more) points
 Clear transition between parts
 Conclusion that restates the points
What to look for...content

8.  Body language
 Too much
dependence on notes
 Pace
 Fillers—uhs and ums
 Use of visual aids
What to look for...delivery

9.  Did they cite their sources?
 Did they ask if there were questions?
 Did they repeat the questions?
Specifics

10.  Posters or slides too crowded?
 Font too small?
 Props add to the presentation
◦ Food safety
◦ Manage space
 No brand names visible
Visual aid specifics

11.  This slide is too full. It’s hard to read and
tells too much information. The audience
will be so busy reading the screen that
they won’t listen to what the speaker is
saying, or they will not even attempt to
read it because it is not visually pleasing.
4H’ers should never do a slide like
this, but some of them will. The colors are
bad too. Help them see why this doesn’t
work.
Bad example

12. http://vimeo.com/35802245
Video Example

13.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdQyj
dvKvgc

14.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdQyj
dvKvgc

15.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBoMZ
KSYxZo

16.  Can 4-H’er set up/run equipment?
 Do they have a back-up plan?
 Talk to audience– not screen
 Stands so screen is visible
Electronic Visual Aids

17.  One major point per slide
 No more than 6 lines on a slide
 No ALL CAPS
 High contrast colors
Electronic Visual Aids – cont.

18.  Make them want to try this again!
 Make suggestions that will help them
improve
 Make suggestions for those going on to
the State Fair like
memorization, posters, etc.
End on a high note!

19. Working Exhibits

20.  To teach others a task
 To educate them in the process
 To ―sell‖ the project
 To manage the audience and the work
space
Goals

21.  Stand back and watch set up
 Let them invite you
 Smile!!!!
 Make the item
 Ask questions
During

22.  Enthusiasm!
 Speaking loudly
 Speaking clearly
 Working with ALL
ages
 Creativity
Look for...

23.  Managing the work space
◦ Clean
◦ Litter free
◦ Sanitary
 Several work ―areas‖ –no assembly lines
 Special care needed (food, safety)
 Are people having fun?
Look for...

24.  Posters easy to read? Follow?
 Written directions to take home?
 Cost?
 Source of idea?
 Ideas for other places to use item?
 Educate audience as they work
Look for...

25. Share the Fun

26.  To experience performing / entertaining
 To share 4H fun with the public
 To feature 4H’ers various talents / creativity
 To foster teamwork among members/ club
 To develop poise, self-confidence
Goals

27.  Rhythm
 Artistic delivery
 Creativity
 Uniformity
 Showmanship
 Costuming
 Choreography –Self?
Dance

28.  Musical skill
 Material Chosen
 Audience Appeal
 Costuming
Vocal/ Instrumental

29.  Selection-skill level
appropriate
 Showmanship
◦ Personality
◦ Poise
◦ Confidence
◦ Stage presence
◦ Projection
Vocal / Instrumental

30.  Material chosen
 Presentation
◦ Memorization
◦ Skills
◦ Projection
 Props/
Costuming
 Work together
Dramatic—Play, poetry

31.  Material chosen—
◦ Does it offend?
◦ Is it appropriate for youth?
◦ Does it educate or address an issue?
 Is it unique?
 How does the audience react?
Judging