Speaking and Puppetry Contest

Do you have an interesting topic you'd love to talk about? Would you like a chance to share your speaking ability? Are you looking for ways to improve your public presentations? If yes is the answer, then step right up!!

The Speaking and Puppetry contest is part of the Lincoln County 4-H fair, although it is held in February. Complete guidelines for entry into the fair can be found in the Fair Exhibitor Handbook. Please read the Speaking Guidelines and Puppetry Guidelines for more details. You can also review the scoring guidelings for the Orginal Speech, Individual Reading, Group Reading and Puppetry events.

The Rockfalls Rascals 4-H Club is coordinating this year’s Speaking and Puppetry Contest and is scheduled to be held on Saturday, February 16th, 9:00 am at Our Saviors, Merrill. To enter, just fill out the registration form and return it by Monday, February 4, 2008. There will be no exceptions to this deadline.

If you have never participated, there are video tapes of past contests for you to view.

Stop by the UW-Extension Office to check one out.

Speaking Guidelines:

Open to all youth members of recognized youth organizations, grades K-13..
An individual may enter any category or a group of 2 - 5 members may enter a Reading of Prose, Reading of Poetry, or Storytelling entry. For groups:
Average grade of group will be used to determine division.
All group members will read from a script.
Entry should not be from a play script.
The talk must be original and developed by the youth. Adults may assist.
The same talk may not have been presented in a previous 4-H competition.
Participants may choose to use a podium.
Each entry will be judged/critiqued (oral and written), except Cloverbuds who will receive participation ribbon (not judged or part of the county fair).
Certificates of participation and ribbons will be awarded. Judging for Elementary, Junior and Senior Divisions will done on the Danish system with county fair premiums being awarded. Please be sure to include entries on fair entry form (see Fair Exhibitor Handbook Department 31 for complete listing). Participants are required to participate in the speaking exhibit at the County Fair or they will not receive their premium.
The top entry in each grade division may receive a Best of Show ribbon at the judge's discretion.
Subject is your choice. You may enter in the following categories (may enter in up to two categories; may enter an individual and a group entry):
Original Speech - original material written by the speaker on any topic, may use notes.
Reading of Prose - includes narratives and original and non-original stories; may use notes or books.
Reading of Poetry - may be original or non-original poem either in verse form or open-ended; a series of poems on the same subject may also be used; may use notes or books
Storytelling - an original or non-original story or fairy tale and telling the story without memorizing the exact words or reading
No visual aids or charts allowed for any category.
Divisions:
Cloverbuds: K-2nd Grade (1-2 minutes for individuals) (3-5 minutes for
groups)
Elementary: 3rd - 5th Grade (2-3 minutes for individuals) (6-10 minutes for groups)
Junior: 6th - 8th Grade (3-5 minutes for individuals) (10-13 minutes for
groups)
Senior: 9th Grade & Older (5-8 minutes for individuals) (13-15 minutes for
groups)
Classes and premiums are as per county fair exhibitor handbook. Refer to this for additional requirements.

Puppetry Guidelines:

Open to all youth members of recognized youth organizations, grades K-13..
Time length -- 5-10 minutes
Stage/puppets/props--must supply your own--example: card board box, table cloth, chair, etc.--may be homemade or bought. Microphone will be provided.
Script may be original or published.
Puppetry is different from lip sync performances. In puppetry, participants must speak / sing the actual words.
Will be judged on creativity and appeal.
Each performance is critiqued/judged (oral and written), except individual Cloverbuds or groups where the average age is Cloverbud age who will receive a participation ribbon (not judged or part of the county fair).
Certificates of participation and ribbons will be awarded. Judging will be done on the Danish system with county fair premiums being awarded. Please be sure to include entries on fair entry form (see Fair Exhibitor Handbook Department 18 for listing.) Participants are required to participate in the puppetry exhibit at the County Fair or they will not receive their premium.
Puppets may be used in more than one performance by different people.
Participants may participate in one group performance and one other performance, but may only enter one in the county fair.
Best of Show ribbon may be given to top performance at judge’s discretion.
If you use props that create a mess (i.e. straw, hay, etc.), try to wrap them in something and ask coordinator of the event for equipment to clean up after yourself. This will help everyone involved.
Classes and premiums are as per county fair exhibitor handbook. Refer to this for additional requirements.