Prepared Public Speaking is an FFA leadership development event where members develop and deliver a six to eight minute speech on an agricultural topic of current relevance. Participants are graded on their written manuscript, delivery style and ability to answer judges questions about their delivery.
State winners in each division advance to national competition during the National FFA Convention in October. Students must compose an original speech that does not duplicate one from another speaking division.
Music
Participants write and present a six- to eight-minute speech on an agricultural subject of their choosing, judged on written manuscript, content delivery and answers to judges’ questions afterward. This leadership development event offers public speaking training that can improve students’ lives at all levels: personal, academic and professional. The State winner in each division advances to compete at National FFA Convention.
At this LDE, members have the chance to express their opinions and beliefs regarding issues that will have an effect on agriculture’s future. By understanding food and agricultural policy complexities and controversies as well as effective communication about complex subjects, this LDE allows members enrolled in 8th through 10th grades to share their insights into agriculture’s future.
Creed Speaking LDE challenges members in seventh through ninth grades to memorize and deliver the National FFA Creed from memory before answering three related questions about it. This leadership development event helps members communicate more powerfully, organizedly and professionally while building confidence. Members also gain a better appreciation of all that being part of FFA can entail; participants must wear official FFA dress to participate.
Health
Medical persuasive speech topics combine science, policy and human interest. From advocating for vaccine mandates and mental health stigma awareness campaigns to discussing genetic engineering as an area of potential innovation; successful speeches must combine both logical reasoning and emotional appeal for maximum effect.
FFA members competing in the 9th Grade Agriculture Opportunities Speaking division prepare and present a six to eight minute prepared speech related to agricultural opportunities, leadership training or personal growth. Students are graded on their written manuscript delivery as well as how well they respond to judges’ questions after giving their speech.
Prepared Public Speaking Leadership Development Event (LDE) allows members to submit and present a six to eight minute speech about a current agricultural issue that interests them. The state winner in this event advances to compete at the National FFA Convention at the end of October.
Students participating in this highly competitive and challenging speech event are judged on their written manuscript, the quality of their presentation and answers provided afterward to judges’ questions. Students are required to wear official FFA dress and may not use props or cover their manuscript with anything other than official FFA cover paper; those who have won a national title in another speaking division cannot compete at state levels as well.
Sports
Sports has become more globalized over time, as players, money, and images travel around the world at dizzying speed. This globalization has altered its definition, leading some critics to allege that its integrity has been diluted by commercial and promotional elements; others argue it’s part of an overall process of globalization.
Contestants in this public speaking competition write and present a six- to eight-minute speech on any current agricultural topic they choose, being scored according to written content, delivery style and response to judges’ questions. The state winner of this competition advances to compete at the National FFA Convention at the end of October.
Participants of this event develop and practice public speaking skills, explore career options in agriculture and increase their knowledge on various agricultural subjects. It is open to 8th, 9th and 10th grade FFA members regularly enrolled in agriculture exploration program who are in good standing with state and national organizations (duo members are not eligible). Manuscripts may have clear front and back covers without images, words or logos on either page – however these must remain blank within.
Leadership
Leadership is the ability to influence and guide others through group-based activities. Anyone, no matter their title or seniority can develop this attribute and benefit from its development. Leadership allows people to accomplish tasks they could not achieve on their own; inspiring trust, energy and enthusiasm amongst followers while striving to meet goals and objectives is key.
Prepared Public Speaking leadership development event provides participants with an opportunity to write and present a six to eight minute speech on any agricultural topic of their choosing, receiving scores based on written manuscript quality, delivery method and judges’ questions answered during delivery. State winners go on to national competition.
This event is open to members in eighth, ninth and tenth grades who regularly enroll in high school agricultural education classes. Students participating may select a topic related to agriculture opportunities, leadership training/development/growth/personal development or chapter and community activities for presentation at this event. In order to maximize learning and competition potential in this division, two different speeches cannot be presented concurrently during one academic year – but rather two different prepared and impromptu speaking events may occur simultaneously.
Participants may use a clear front cover on their manuscript, however they may not include pictures, artwork, words or logos on this section of their submission. Furthermore, all participants have five minutes after concluding their presentation to respond to judges’ questions regarding it.