CATA Curricular Activities Code

PREPARED PUBLIC SPEAKING

Revised 6/2015
Purpose and Standards
The purpose of the Prepared Public Speaking Career Development Event is to foster and develop the
speaking abilities of FFA members as well as develop their self confidence and contribute to their
advancement in inter-personal skill attainment and leadership development.

Foundation Standards: Communications Reading 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8. Writing 1.1, 1.2,
1.3, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 2.3, 2.6. Written and Oral English Language Conventions 1.1, 1.2, 1.3. Listening
and Speaking 1.1, 1.8, 2.2, 2.3.

Contestants
I. Each section will determine how many chapter members may participate at the sectional level.
Each region will determine how many sectional participants may compete at the regional level.
Participation at the state level is limited to the top 50% of those that participate in the regional
contest (or major portion thereof), with a maximum of four (4) per region.
II. This contest will be open to students less than 21 years of age who were regularly enrolled in
agricultural education during the current calendar year or who are still in high school but have
completed all the agricultural education offered. When selected, contestants must be active
members of chartered FFA chapters in good standing with the State Association and the National
Organization.
Tie Breaker
In case of a tie, that individual who has the highest grand total score shall have prior rating.
Rules
I. General Plan
A. The preliminary contests are local, sectional and regional in nature. All regional and state
contests must follow the rules of the National Public Speaking Contest. Judges will not
question participants at the local or sectional level without prior agreement among the
agriculture instructors concerned.
III. Eligibility
A. Each contestant's written production will be the result of their own efforts. It is expected
that they will take advantage of all available training facilities in the local school in
developing their speaking and writing ability. Facts and working data may be secured from
any source.
1. Regional and state contestants are required to file with their regional supervisor,
through their teachers of vocational agriculture (on the dates specified by the
regional supervisor), the following materials:
a. A double spaced typewritten copies of the speech on 8 1/2 x 11" white
paper with cover page that gives the speech title, participants name,
chapter and date (unless otherwise directed by the regional supervisor).
The body of the manuscript will have 1 margins. Font size must be 12
point using Arial or other sans serif font. Do not bind, but place a staple in
the upper left corner. The bibliography will follow APA style manual for
developing references. Manuscripts not meeting these guidelines could be
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penalized.
b. Electronic copy of the manuscript for use in forwarding to the judges.
B. Public Speaking contestants will adhere to the official FFA dress uniform at all levels of
participation.
C. A student may not participate in the Prepared Public Speaking, Extemporaneous Public
Speaking, Impromptu Speaking, Creed Recitation, or Job Interview Contests in the same
year.
D. A contestant who is not present at the time of drawing for speaking order shall not be
eligible for the contest.
IV. Subjects
A. Contestants may choose their own subjects for their speeches. Any current subject of
agriculture which is of interest to the agricultural sector will be acceptable. A topic which
centers on leadership and/or FFA experiences is acceptable. References made to FFA and
SOEP experiences, as they pertain to the subject, are encouraged. Participants using a topic
on a non-related agriculture subject will be disqualified.
V. Time Limit
A. Each speech shall be a minimum of six minutes in length and a maximum of eight minutes.
Each contestant will be allowed five minutes additional time in which they will be asked
questions relating to their speech. Deductions of 20 points per minute, or major fraction
thereof, will be made from the score of each judge for speeches under six minutes or over
eight minutes in length. (To prevent being penalized, a contestant must speak over five
minutes, 30 seconds and under eight minutes, 30 seconds).
VI. Methods of Selecting Winner
A. Local contests will be under the direction of the local agriculture teacher.
B. Sectional contests will be under the direction of the Sectional FFA Advisor and regional
contests will be under the direction of the Regional Supervisor concerned.
C. Contestants shall draw for placement on the program. If more than eight students are
competing in the contest a preliminary round should be held. The program chairman shall
then introduce each speaker by name and title of the speech only, in order of drawing. A
contestant will be permitted to use notes while speaking, but deduction in scoring will be
made for this practice. Applause shall be withheld until all contestants have spoken.
D. Timekeepers shall be designated who will record the time used by each contestant in
delivering his/her speech, noting undertime and overtime, if any, for which deductions
should be made. Timekeeper(s) should be sitting together.
E. Prior to the State Finals contest, the judges will be furnished with a copy of the contest rules
and typewritten copies of the contestants' productions, which they will read and develop
their questions.
F. At the time of the contest the judges will be seated in different sections of the room in
which the contest is held. They will score each contestant upon delivery of the production,
using the score sheet provided.
G. Each judge shall formulate and ask questions. Questions shall pertain directly to the
speaker's subject. Questions containing two or more parts should be avoided. Judges will
score each contestant on his/her ability to answer all questions asked by judges.
H. When all contestants have finished speaking, each judge will total his/her score on
composition and delivery for each contestant. The timekeeper's record will be used in
computing the final score for each contestant.
I. Prior to the State Finals contest, the content and composition of all manuscripts will be
judged by three (3) qualified individuals using the appropriate score sheet. Manuscript
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scores will be averaged and provided to the presentation judges after they have scored the
oral presentation.
J. Contestants shall be ranked in numerical order on basis of final score to be determined by
each judge without consultation with each other. Judges may ask each other to clarify a
given question response from speakers prior to ranking the contestants.
K. The judges' ranking on each contestant then shall be added by the contest superintendent in
view of the three judges and the winner shall be the contestant whose total ranking is the
lowest. Other placings shall be determined in the same manner (low points score method of
selection). In case of a tie, that individual who has the highest grand total score shall have
prior rating.
L. Contestants are not permitted to use any type of prop, chart, graph, computer, visual aide
and/or musical playing instrument/equipment during their speech.
VII. Awards
A. Awards will be presented to contestants by the organization of the Future Farmers of
America and the Future Farmers of America Foundation, Inc., through the intercession of
the contest administrator concerned.
VIII. Dissipation of Scores
A. Students and advisors should have an opportunity to see all score cards, a final scorecard, or
a judges comment card to enable a better understanding of what the judges did and did not
like.
Explanation of Score Sheet Points
I. Part I - For Scoring Content and Composition
A. Content of the manuscript includes:
1. Purpose
2. Content
3. Use of References
4. Quality of References
5. Use of Most Recent Edition of the American Psychological Association (APA) Manual
B. Composition of the manuscript includes:
1. Organization
2. Feel and Tone
3. Sentence Structure
4. Word Choice
5. Grammar, Spelling, Writing Mechanics
IX. Part II - For Scoring Delivery of Production
A. Voice includes:
1. Quality
2. Pitch
3. Articulation
4. Pronunciation
5. Force
B. Stage presence includes:
1. Personal appearance
2. Poise and body posture
3. Attitude
4. Confidence
5. Personality

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6. Ease before audience

C. Power of expression includes:
1. Fluency
2. Emphasis
3. Directness
4. Sincerity
5. Communicative ability
6. Conveyance of thought and meaning
7. Memorization
D. Response to questions includes:
1. Ability to satisfactorily answer the questions of the speech which are asked by the
judges indicating originality, familiarity with subject and ability to think quickly.
(Judges should meet prior to the contest to prepare and clarify the questions to be
asked.)
E. General effect includes:
1. Extent to which the speech was interesting, understandable, convincing, pleasing
and held audience's attention.

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Prepared Public Speaking CDE Manuscript Rubric 250 points

Evaluation Criteria Very strong evidence skill is Moderate evidence skill Strong evidence skill is not Weight Total Score
present is present Present
5-4 3-2 1-0

Manuscript Content 100

possible points
Topic is important and appropriate 50 points
Current topic of interest Topic is current or a strong Topic is dated or some Topic is irrelevant for the times
evidence of personal evidence of personal or unrelated to personal x5
involvement in the topic is involvement has been involvement.
expressed. expressed.
Topic is relevant and Topic addresses an issue Topic addresses an issue Topic addresses an issue that is
within the scope of facing the industry of that may show some unrelated to the industry of x5
identified subjects in the agriculture. relationship to the industry agriculture.
CDE guide of agriculture.
Suitability of materials used 50 points
Resources are from reputable Resources are from Resources are from unreliable
Validity of resources sources. questionable sources. sources. x5
Manuscript reflects accurate Manuscript reflects some Manuscript does not reflect
Accuracy of content statements from resources. misinterpretation of accurate statements based on the x5
resource materials. resources provided.
Total points for this section
Manuscript Composition 150
possible points
Organization and development of content 75 points
Examples are vivid, precise Examples are usually Examples are abstract or not
and clearly explained. concrete, sometimes needs clearly defined.
Examples clarification. x5
Examples are original, logical Examples are effective, Examples are sometimes
and relevant. but need more originality confusing, leaving the listeners
or thought. with questions.
Is able to stay fully detail Is mostly good at being Has difficulty being detail
oriented. Always provides detail oriented. Usually oriented. Sometimes overlooks x5
Being detail oriented details which support the provides details which are details that could be very
issue; is well organized. supportive of the issue; beneficial to the issue; lacks
displays good organization.
organizational skills.
The style chosen has Most language is Some language used might
Accomplishment of obviously been well thought appropriate for the be confusing for some audiences.
purpose out based on the specific intended audience. x5
audience.
Grammatical accuracy 35 points
Spelling/grammar Spelling and grammar are Spelling and grammar are Spelling and grammar are less
(sentence structure, verb extremely high quality with 2 adequate with 3-5 errors in than adequate with 6 or more
agreement, etc.) or less errors in the the document. errors in the document. x7
document.
Manuscript written
according to event format 5 points 0 points 40 points
rule #1
Double-spaced on 8"x
11" white bond paper x2

12 point Arial or sans serif

font
1" margins in the body of
the paper.
x2
Cover page with speech
title, participant's name,
state and year.
APA style for references x4
and bibliography As found
on Perdueowl.com online
writing.

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Total points for this section

Grand Total Points

Prepared Public Speaking CDE Presentation Rubric 450 points

Very strong evidence skill is Moderate evidence skill is present Strong evidence skill is not Points
Indicators present 3-2 present Total Score
5-4 1-0 Earne Weigh
d t
Oral Communication 250 possible
points
Speaks very articulately Speaks articulately, but sometimes Speaks articulately, but
A. Speaking without hesitation. hesitates. frequently hesitates.
without x 10
hesitation Never has the need for Occasionally has the need for a Frequently hesitates or has long,
unnecessary pauses or long pause or moderate hesitation awkward pauses while speaking.
hesitation when speaking. when speaking.
Appropriate tone is consistent. Appropriate tone is usually Has difficulty using an
Speaks at the right pace to be consistent. appropriate tone.
clear.
C. Tone Speaks at the right pace most of Pace is too fast; nervous. x 15
Pronunciation of words is very the time, but shows some Pronunciation of words is
clear and intent is apparent. nervousness. Pronunciation of difficult to understand; unclear.
words is usually clear, sometimes
vague.
Speaker uses power of Speaker presents speech as mere Speaker bores the audience with
D. Command presentation to engage and repeating of facts and speech lack of enthusiasm and power to x 15
of Audience captivate the audience with the comes across as a report deliver the speech.
message of the speech.
Exemplary in connecting facts Sufficient in connecting facts and Has difficulty with connecting
and issues and articulating how issues and articulating how they facts and issues and articulating
they impact the issue locally impact the issue locally and how they impact the issue locally
E. Connect and globally. globally. and globally.
and articulate x 10
facts and Possesses a strong knowledge Possesses a good knowledge base Possesses some knowledge base
issues base and is able to effectively and is able to, for the most part, but is unable to articulate
articulate information regarding articulate information regarding information regarding related
related facts and current issues. related facts and current issues. facts and current issues.
Non-verbal Communication 200 possible
points
Eye contact constantly used as Eye contact is mostly effective Eye contact does not always
an effective connection. and consistent. allow connection with the
A. Attention speaker. x 10
(eye contact) Constantly looks at the Mostly looks around the audience
entire audience (90-100% of (60-80% of the time). Occasionally looks at someone
the time). or some groups (less than 50% of
the time).
Does not have distracting Sometimes has distracting Have mannerisms that pull from
mannerisms that affect mannerisms that pull from the the effectiveness of the
B. effectiveness. presentation. presentation. x 10
Mannerisms
No nervous habits. Sometimes exhibits nervous habits Displays some nervous habits
or ticks. fidgets or anxious ticks.
Gestures are purposeful and Usually uses purposeful gestures. Occasionally gestures are used
effective. effectively.
Hands are sometimes used to
C. Gestures Hand motions are expressive express or emphasize. Hands are not used to emphasize x 10
and used to emphasize talking Occasionally slumps; sometimes talking points; hand motions are
points. negative body language. sometimes distracting.
Great posture (confident) with Lacks positive body language;
positive body language. slumps.

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Is extremely well-poised. Usually is well-poised. Isnt always well-poised.

D. x 10
Well-poised Poised and in control at all Poised and in control most of the Sometimes seems to lose
times. time; rarely loses composure. composure.
TOTAL

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Prepared Public Speaking CDE Response to Questions Rubric 300 points

Very strong evidence skill
Indicators is present Moderate evidence skill is present Strong evidence skill is not Points Total Score
5-4 3-2 present Weigh
1-0 Earne t
d
300 possible
Response to Questions points
Speaks unrehearsed mostly with Shows nervousness or
A. Speaking Speaks unrehearsed with comfort and ease, but sometimes seems unprepared when
unrehearsed comfort and ease. seems nervous or unsure. speaking unrehearsed.
(question and x 10
answer) Is able to speak quickly Is able to speak effectively, has to Seems to ramble or speaks
with organized thoughts stop and think, and some- times before thinking.
and concise answers. gets off focus.
Answer shows thorough Answer shows some knowledge of Answer shows little
B. knowledge of the subject of the subject. knowledge of the subject.
Demonstrates the speech. x 40
knowledge of Some evidence, but lacking in Evidence is lacking to
topic Supports answer with strength. support the answer.
strong evidence.
Examples are vivid, precise Examples are usually concrete, Examples are abstract or
and clearly explained. sometimes needs clarification. not
C. Examples clearly defined. x5
Examples are original, Examples are effective, but need
logical and relevant. more originality or thought. Examples are sometimes
confusing, leaving the
listeners with questions.
Is able to stay fully detail Is mostly good at being detail Has difficulty being detail
oriented. oriented. oriented.
D. Being detail x5
oriented Always provides details Usually provides details which are Sometimes overlooks
which support the issue; is supportive of the issue; displays details that could be very
well organized. good organizational skills. beneficial to the issue; lacks
organization.

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CATA Curricular Activities Code Prepared Public Speaking

Prepared Public Speaking CDE Official Scorecard

Maxi Participa Participa Participa Participa Participa Participa Particip Participa

mum nt 1: nt 2: nt 3: nt 4: nt 5: nt 6: ant 7: nt 8:
Point
s
Evaluation Criteria

A. Verbal Communication Skills (from rubric) - 250 possible points

Speaking without 50
hesitation
Tone 75
Command of 75
audience
Connecting and 50
articulating facts and
issues
B. Non-verbal Communication Skills (from rubric) - 200 possible points
Attention 50
(eye contact)
Mannerisms 50
Gestures 50
Well poised 50
C. Response to Questions (from rubric) - 300 possible points
Speaking 50
unrehearsed
Knowledge of Topic 200

Use of examples 25

Being detailed 25
oriented

Subtotal points 750

Less time Provided

deductions by room
coordinator
Net communication skills
score
Manuscript
Score 250
Net Total
Points 1000
Participant Ranking

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