Public Presentations Handout (PDF)
Judging Public Presentations (Video)
Types of 4-H Presentations
A Demonstration puts words into action. An effective demonstration teaches others how to do something by showing while telling. At the end of a demonstration, you should have a finished product to show your audience.
Sample titles include: how to cook an egg, how to groom a dog, how to needle-felt
An Illustrated Talk makes use of posters, pictures, PowerPoint (for Junior, Intermediate, and Senior 4-Hers), or other visuals to show how to do something or illustrate a process. No finished product is required.
Sample titles include: how to plan a garden, how to distinguish horse markings, how to lead a fun and effective carwash
Public Speaking is a prepared speech on a specific subject for an audience. Usually, no props or visual aids are used. 4-Hers use this type of presentation to teach, entertain, and/or inform their audiences.
Sample titles include: why I like the 4-H cat project, 4-H around the world, what compassion looks like in my community
Recommended Time Limits for 4-H Presentations
For demonstrations and illustrated talks the minimum time is 3 minutes and the maximum is 20 minutes, depending on 4-H “age” (your age on Oct. 1 of the current 4-H year). For public speeches the minimum time is 5 minutes and a maximum time is 10 minutes (at State Fair, a penalty of 5 points per minute under or over is deducted).
| 4-H Age Division | Age | Time Limits |
| Cloverbuds | 5-7 years old | Less than 5 minutes |
| Juniors | 8-10 years old | 3-8 minutes |
| Intermediates | 11-13 years old | 5-15 minutes |
| Seniors | 14-<19 years old | 10-20 minutes |