Demonstration/Speech Workshop

Two components of County Events are demonstration/illustrated talks and public speaking. Getting in front of an audience can be very intimidating. So why not come and learn new skills and techniques to putting together a demonstration/illustrated talk or speech.
The workshop will be Wednesday, January 24th at the 4-H Office starting promptly at 4:00 p.m. It will end at 5:00 p.m. I highly recommend your attendance if you are planning to do a demonstration/illustrated talk or speech for the first time. Parents are also welcome to attend. We need at least five (5) youth to RSVP by January 17, or we will cancel the workshop. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Mr. John Lilly at (850) 342-0187.

Most demonstrators, even those well experienced in presentations, find it helpful to prepare a written outline of the component parts of the demonstration. Most outlines can be divided into three parts:
WHY-this is the “introduction” to the demonstration.
HOW-this is the “body” of the demonstration.
WHAT-this is the “summary” of the demonstration.

I. INTRODUCTION
Be original and brief. This is your interest-getter, the follow-up of your catchy title. Make the listeners feel the subject is important, practical and worth your time to demonstrate, and theirs to listen to and see. Tell why the topic was selected. In giving a team demonstration, one member introduces himself and his teammate. If it is an individual demonstration, don’t overlook the introduction, unless already introduced

II. BODY OF THE DEMONSTRATION
This is the “show and tell” part. Show and explain all the necessary steps in the process. Develop thoroughly one central ideal or practice and show each step in logical order. As each step is demonstrated, tell what is being done and why this method is used in preference to other methods. Then, if this phase or step of the demonstration is not completed, give additional information about the material or completed, give additional information about the material or equipment being used.

EXAMPLE:
ACTION: While egg whites are being folded into the cake, tell
WHAT: The egg whites are folded into the cake batter.
HOW: The spoon is brought down the side of the bowl, across the bottom, up the other side and over the top, folding the mixture.
WHY: Egg whites are folded into the batter to prevent the breaking of air cells.
Other explanations: Slotted spoon is an ideal piece of equipment for this purpose. Air beaten into the egg whites helps to serve as a leavening agent. (There also might be some discussion of the food value of eggs).

Include only enough explanation to fill the action time required for each phase of the demonstration. Demonstrators should always use their own words to describe action. Material memorized from the other sources never sounds convincing. In presenting a team demonstration, divide the working and explaining so each team member has about the same amount to do. Make the divisions where it would appear natural to shift from one process to another. The rule of thumb is that the person demonstrating should also be the one telling about it. While one partner is demonstrating one partner is demonstrating, the other serves as helper. Correct methods and skillful work are important throughout the presentation. Equipment used should be proper for the job to be done, and should be used enough to show skill in operation. Work for simplicity and attractiveness of products, at the same time avoiding the appearance of too much “housekeeping” before the audience. Build to a climax. Demonstrating all steps of the process. Some demonstrations pose special problems, such as a long waiting interval in baking rolls, making cheese or painting furniture. In this case, it may be best to have material in several stages of completion, to show all steps of the process. If the process can’t be finished in the allowed time show a finished product that has been prepared previously, such as a cherry pie, or a chilled gelatin salad.

III. SUMMARY
Last chance to get it across. In the summary, the points of the demonstration, the audience should remember and ways this topic can be valuable to those concerned should be emphasized.
Display the finished product attractively, so even those on the back row can see well.
Give the judges an opportunity to ask questions.

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Posted: January 23, 2018


Category: 4-H & Youth, Events
Tags: 4-H Events And Activities, County Events, Demonstration, Public Speaking, Speech, Workshop


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