Prepared Public Speaking Purpose: The purpose of the Prepared Public Speaking CDE is to allow students to develop a speech pertaining to a topic in agriculture. It aims to provide the opportunity for personal growth and premier leadership by enhancing the speaking skills of participants. The event also encourages civic participation and cultivates a better knowledge of agriculture among participants. Eligibility: The event is open to any member in grades 9 12 enrolled in an Agricultural Education class and has paid their FFA dues. They must also be in good standing. Event Rules and Format: 1. Only one participant from each FFA Chapter 2. The event is open to FFA members who are currently enrolled in high school at the time in which they compete in the region event. 3.The top 2 contestants in each region will compete at the state contest to be conducted during the State FFA Convention. 4. A student can compete in only ONE public speaking event (Greenhand Creed, Upper Creed, Prepared Public Speaking, or Extemporaneous Speaking) on the state level in a given year. 5. The preliminary contest at the region levels should follow the rules of the National FFA Contest, which can be found at www.ffa.org. 6. The preliminary contest should culminate in the state contest held during the state contest. Event Format: 1. The CDE Coordinator will randomly draw a speaking order 2. Contestants shall bring 4 copies of their manuscript to the competition that is typed 3. A timekeeper will keep the official speaking time and monitor the time the judges use for asking questions. 4. At least 2 competent and impartial judges will be selected to judge the event. 5. Each judge shall formulate and ask questions. Questions will pertain directly to the speaker's subject. 6. When all participants have finished speaking, each judge will tally their score based on each speaker. The timekeeper's record will be used to compute the final score for each participant
7. Participants shall be ranked in numerical order on the basis of the final score to be determined by each judge without consultation. 8. The judges ranking of each participant shall be added, and the winner will be the participant whose total of rankings is the lowest. Other placing shall be determined in the same manner (low point method of selection). In the event of a tie, the individual with the highest grand total score shall have a higher ranking. 9. Contestants shall wear official dress. 10.The criteria and point allocation are detailed on the prepared public speaking CDE score sheet. 11. Participants shall introduce themselves and their topic to the judges. 12.Participants may choose any current subject for their speeches, which is of an agricultural nature. This may include agriscience and technology, agribusiness, agri marketing, international agricultural relations, and agricultural communications. 13.Official judges shall disqualify a participant if he or she speaks on a non agricultural related topic. 14.Manuscripts must be submitted no later than 1 week prior to the regional and state competitions. Any manuscript that is received after the deadline will be penalized 25 per each day late. Under no circumstances will a manuscript will be considered acceptable if it is late. Time Limit: 1. Each speech shall be no less than 6 minutes and not more than 8 minutes in length. 2. Five additional minutes are allowed for questions related to the speaker's topic and selected by the judges. 3. Participants will be penalized one point per second on each judges score sheet for being under 6 minutes or over 8 minutes. 4. Time commences when the speaker begins talking. Speakers may use their watch to keep a record of their time. 5. Event officials or observers will give no time warnings. Tiebreaker Ties will be broken based on the greatest number of low ranks. Participants low rankings will be counted and the participant with the greatest number rankings will be declared the winner. If a tie still exists, then the contest supervisor will rank the participants response to questions. The participants with the lowest ranking from the response to questions will be declared the winner.
Prepared Public Speaking CDE Manuscript Rubric 200 Speaker Name: State: Indicators Very strong evidence skill is present Moderate evidence skill is present Strong evidence skill is not present possible per indicator 5-4 3-2 1-0 Section A: Manuscript Content Topic is important and appropriate Topic is current or a strong evidence of Current topic of interest personal involvement in the topic is expressed. Topic is relevant and within the scope of identified subjects in the CDE guide Suitability of materials used Validity of resources Topic addresses an issue facing the industry of agriculture. Resources are from reputable sources. Topic is dated or some evidence of personal involvement has been expressed. Topic addresses an issue that may show some relationship to the industry of agriculture. Resources are from questionable sources. Topic is irrelevant for the times or unrelated to personal involvement. Topic addresses an issue that is unrelated to the industry of agriculture. Earned Weight x 5 x 5 Resources are from unreliable sources. x 5 Total Score 100 possible Accuracy of content Manuscript reflects accurate statements from resources. Manuscript reflects some misinterpretation of resource materials. Manuscript does not reflect accurate statements based on the resources provided. x 5 Section B. Manuscript Composition Organization and development of content Logical order and unity of thought Clearly organized and concise by remaining on target; completely focused with obvious construction and strong introduction, body and conclusion layout. Good organization with few statements out of place or lacking in clear construction. Total for this section Little to no organization is present; sometimes awkward and lacking construction. x 4 100 possible 40 Accomplishment of purpose The style chosen has obviously been well thought out based on the specific audience. Most language is appropriate for the intended audience. Some language used might be confusing for some audiences. x 4 Grammatical accuracy Spelling/grammar (sentence structure, verb agreement, etc.) Manuscript written according to guidelines Double-spaced on 8½" x 11" white bond paper 12 point Arial or sans serif font 1" margins in the body of the paper Cover page with speech title, participant's name, state and year APA style for references and bibliography Spelling and grammar are extremely high quality with 2 or less errors in the document. Spelling and grammar are adequate with 3-5 errors in the document. Spelling and grammar are less than adequate with 6 or more errors in the document. x 7 35 5 0 25 x 1 x 1 x 3 Total for this section Grand Total Prepared Public Speaking Career Development Event 5
Prepared Public Speaking CDE Presentation Rubric 0 Indicators Oral Communication A. Examples B. Speaking without hesitation C. Tone D. Being detail oriented E. Command of Audience F. Connect and articulate facts and issues Very strong evidence skill is present 5-4 Examples are vivid, precise and clearly explained. Examples are original, logical and relevant. Speaks very articulately without hesitation. Never has the need for unnecessary pauses or hesitation when speaking. Appropriate tone is consistent. Speaks at the right pace to be clear. Pronunciation of words is very clear and intent is apparent. Is able to stay fully detail oriented. Always provides details which support the issue; is well organized. Speaker uses power of presentation to engage and captivate the audience with the message of the speech. Exemplary in connecting facts and issues and articulating how they impact the issue locally and globally. Possesses a strong knowledge base and is able to effectively articulate information regarding related facts and current issues. Moderate evidence skill is present 3-2 Examples are usually concrete, sometimes needs clarification. Examples are effective, but need more originality or thought. Speaks articulately, but sometimes hesitates. Occasionally has the need for a long pause or moderate hesitation when speaking. Appropriate tone is usually consistent. Speaks at the right pace most of the time, but shows some nervousness. Pronunciation of words is usually clear, sometimes vague. Is mostly good at being detail oriented. Usually provides details which are supportive of the issue; displays good organizational skills. Speaker presents speech as mere repeating of facts and speech comes across as a report Sufficient in connecting facts and issues and articulating how they impact the issue locally and globally. Possesses a good knowledge base and is able to, for the most part, articulate information regarding related facts and current issues. Strong evidence skill is not present 1-0 Examples are abstract or not clearly defined. Examples are sometimes confusing, leaving the listeners with questions. Speaks articulately, but frequently hesitates. Frequently hesitates or has long, awkward pauses while speaking. Has difficulty using an appropriate tone. Pace is too fast; nervous. Pronunciation of words is difficult to understand; unclear. Has difficulty being detail oriented. Sometimes overlooks details that could be very beneficial to the issue; lacks organization. Speaker bores the audience with lack of enthusiasm and power to deliver the speech. Has difficulty with connecting facts and issues and articulating how they impact the issue locally and globally. Possesses some knowledge base but is unable to articulate information regarding related facts and current issues. Earned Weight Total Score 300 possible Non-verbal Communication A. Attention (eye contact) B. Mannerisms C. Gestures D. Well-poised Eye contact constantly used as an effective connection. Constantly looks at the entire audience (90-100% of the time). Does not have distracting mannerisms that affect effectiveness. No nervous habits. Gestures are purposeful and effective. Hand motions are expressive and used to emphasize talking. Great posture (confident) with positive body language. Is extremely well-poised. Poised and in control at all times. Eye contact is mostly effective and consistent. Mostly looks around the audience (60-80% of the time). Sometimes has distracting mannerisms that pull from the presentation. Sometimes exhibits nervous habits or ticks. Usually uses purposeful gestures. Hands are sometimes used to express or emphasize. Occasionally slumps; sometimes negative body language. Usually is well-poised. Poised and in control most of the time; rarely loses composure. Eye contact does not always allow connection with the speaker. Occasionally looks at someone or some groups (less than % of the time). Have mannerisms that pull from the effectiveness of the presentation. Displays some nervous habits fidgets or anxious ticks. Occasionally gestures are used effectively. Hands are not used to emphasize talking ; hand motions are sometimes distracting. Lacks positive body language; slumps. Isn t always well-poised. Sometimes seems to lose composure. TOTAL 200 possible Prepared Public Speaking Career Development Event 6
Prepared Public Speaking CDE Response to Questions Rubric 300 Indicators Response to Questions A. Speaking unrehearsed (question and answer) B. Demonstrates knowledge of topic Very strong evidence skill is present 5-4 Speaks unrehearsed with comfort and ease. Is able to speak quickly with organized thoughts and concise answers. Answer shows thorough knowledge of the subject of the speech. Supports answer with strong evidence. Moderate evidence skill is present 3-2 Speaks unrehearsed mostly with comfort and ease, but sometimes seems nervous or unsure. Is able to speak effectively, has to stop and think, and sometimes gets off focus. Answer shows some knowledge of the subject. Some evidence, but lacking in strength. Strong evidence skill is not present 1-0 Shows nervousness or seems unprepared when speaking unrehearsed. Seems to ramble or speaks before thinking. Answer shows little knowledge of the subject. Evidence is lacking to support the answer. Earned Weight x Total Score 300 possible TOTAL Prepared Public Speaking Career Development Event 7
National FFA Prepared Public Speaking CDE Official Scorecard Evaluation Criteria Maximum Participant 1: Participant 2: Participant 3: Participant 4: Participant 5: Participant 6: Participant 7: Participant 8: A. Verbal Communication Skills (from rubric) - 300 possible Use of examples Speaking without hesitation Tone Being detailed oriented Command of audience Connecting and articulating facts and issues B. Non-verbal Communication Skills (from rubric) - 200 possible Attention (eye contact) Mannerisms Gestures Well poised C. Response to Questions (from rubric) - 300 possible Speaking unrehearsed Command of questions 2 Subtotal 800 Less time deductions Provided by room coordinator Net communication skills score Manuscript Score 200 Net Total 1000 Participant Ranking Prepared Public Speaking Career Development Event 8