Public Speaking Project Ideas: Getting Started

An overview for new speakers

Public speaking is the project where you talk to a group on purpose. It sounds terrifying, and for most people it is at first. The project breaks it into small, repeatable steps so that by the end of the year, talking to twenty people feels like a normal part of club life. This page walks through what the project covers and how to start.

First steps for a new member

Talk to your leader about speaking opportunities in your club: roll call answers, reports, short talks.
Pick a topic you can explain without notes, such as your project animal, a hobby or a favorite recipe.
Write three main points on an index card.
Practice at home with a family member and a timer.
Give the talk at a club meeting and ask two people for feedback.

What you work on

Four basics make up most of the project: voice (loud enough, not rushed), body (standing still, open posture), eye contact and organization (opening, middle, close). Work on one at a time. Record yourself on a phone and watch once for each element rather than judging everything at once.

Ideas for a first year

Give a one-minute talk introducing yourself and your project.
Present a club report on a fundraiser or community event.
Read a short passage aloud to a younger group.
Emcee a portion of your club's achievement night.
Speak at a fair or county event, such as a welcome or a thank-you to donors.

Cost, time and cautions

Cost is nearly zero. Expect fifteen to thirty minutes of practice a few times a week before a talk. Respect the audience by keeping to your time and avoiding topics that embarrass others. Check any facts you plan to share using sources such as Extension, so your talk is accurate.

Records and contests

Keep your speech outlines, feedback notes, scorecards and photos. Many counties host speaking contests with age divisions, and FFA offers speaking events through chapters; see FFA for the national landscape. Rules and topics differ, so read your guide closely.

Where it leads

Skills grow into prepared speaking, extemporaneous speaking and demonstrations. Careers in law, teaching, sales, ministry and politics all rely on it. Visit farm.fm's 4-H and FFA section and agriculture.directory for related ideas, and keep this on your list of FFA and 4-H project ideas for every year you are a member.

A simple practice routine

Pick a weekly slot, say Sunday evening, and give yourself a short topic. Speak for one minute to the mirror, a pet or a family member. Add a minute each month until you reach the length your contest requires. Small, steady practice beats cramming the night before every time.