County 4-H Presentation Day Registration here

 

Public Speaking

Public Speaking skills are ranked number one among the desired skill sets of professionals.

Every 4-H member is encouraged to give a presentation each year.

4-H members practice by giving talks to projects groups and at community club meetings, sharing information about the skills they learned in a project, and observing other people giving presentations. See quick tips on presentation types and requirements.

Types of Presentations

Presentations are not just demonstrations. You have many options ranging from traditional demonstrations for beginning members to persuasive speeches for more experienced members. All of the various presentation styles require similar skills and are designed to meet the interests and age-appropriate levels of the member. No style of presentation is better than any other. Choose the style that best fits you for your presentation and then try other styles as you advance in 4-H. 

Any questions, please contact Rene at the 4-H Office at 530.822.7515 or rjmccrory@ucanr.edu.

2025 Impromptu Speech Categories

Impromptu presentations give presenters a chance to speak on a topic they've had some time to prepare for, but they don’t receive the prompt until right before they present. At State 4-H Presentations, only Intermediate and Senior 4-H members can participate in Impromptu Speeches, so categories are only provided only for those age groups: 

Senior (14-19 years old)

• Youth Activism (Civic Engagement)
• Mental Impact of Bullying (Healthy Living)
• Youth-Adult Partnerships (Leadership)
• Food Science (STEM)

Intermediate (11-13 years old)

• My Community
  
• My Heritage

See the full descriptions of the 2025 Impromptu Categories

Prompts for impromptu speeches will be developed from these categories. Each presenter is assigned a random prompt, which can come from any one of the categories. Presenters are unable to choose a specific category.

Presenters are allowed a 5”x7” note card with pre-written notes on potential categories only located on the front side of their index card, which after the prompt is given the presenter is allowed to write-on, study, or change at their discretion in order to prepare for their speech.

For further details and clarifications, please refer to the 4-H Presentation  Manual.

4-H Presentation Manual

UC 4-H Presentation Manual [revised January 28, 2021]

Presentation Manual Addendum - descriptions for the new categories.

Please use this updated manual as a guide for planning your presentation for competition.

UPDATE FOR 2025: 

ADDENDUM: UC 4-H Presentation Manual 2025

Please review the additions to the UC 4-H Presentation Manual for 2025 Presentation Events in the Addendum. It details what is appropriate content for 4-H presentations and how disqualifications will be handled if presentations are not 4-H appropriate. 

Event Coordinators: Please use the Presentation Manual as a guide for planning your events, and ensure that all evaluators review the manual before your event. 

4-H Presentation Events

Members may present at a presentation event (day) to receive feedback and awards.

• If you receive a blue or gold award at a County 4-H presentation day, you may participate in a regional 4-H presentation event.
• If you receive a blue or gold award at regional 4-H presentation event, you may present at the state 4-H presentation event. 

Regional Presentation Event Information

Presentation How To