Four-Way Test Speech Competition 2023

The Rotary Four-Way Test Speech Contest is a speech competition which has been held for decades in hundreds of locations across the United States. It is offered to high school students as an optional supplement to their usual school curriculum. It is sponsored by the Durant Rotary Club, and will award cash prizes as follows.
 
First Prize: $300.00
 
Find the Information Packet below
 
 
 
 
Four-Way Test Speech Contest
Information Packet
2022-2023 School Year
 
 
The Four-Way Test
Of the things we think, say or do:
 
  1. Is it the TRUTH?
  2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
  3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
  4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
 
 
Rotary Club of Durant
                                                                                                              Durant, OK
                                                     Rotary District 5770
 
      Contact information: Jim Swink, (580)-317-3943, jimswink49@yahoo.com
 
 
 
 

Overview

The Rotary Four-Way Test Speech Contest is a speech competition which has been held for decades in hundreds of locations across the United States. It is offered to high school students as an optional supplement to their usual school curriculum. It is sponsored by the Durant Rotary Club, and will award cash prizes as follows.
 
First Prize: $300.00
 
                        The first place winner of the Durant Rotary Club Four-Way Test Speech Contest will advance to the Rotary   District Four-Way Speech Contest. The District Contest will be held on March 4, 2023 at Southern Tech, 2610 Sam       Noble Parkway, Ardmore, OK. Registration will begin at 10:30 A.M. First place will receive $1000, second place will         receive $500, and third place will receive $250.                  
The first place winner of the District contest will speak at the District Conference at the noon luncheon. The District Conference will be held at the National Weather Center in Norman, OK on April 15, 2023.

 

The Contest

The subject of “How Can Using the Four-Way Test Make the World a Better Place” should be closely followed. Material must be original in content and be about applying the Rotary Four-Way Test to an important issue in our everyday relationships with other people. Contestants should write a speech with facts, statistics, stories, examples, and quotations. Contestants may add some humor and personal touches.
 

The Four-Way Test

 
Since Rotary Clubs were first founded in 1905, Rotarians have promoted high ethical standards in their professional and everyday lives. One of the world’s most widely printed and quoted statements of ethics is the “Four- Way Test”, which was created in 1932 by Rotarian, Herbert J. Taylor when he was asked to take charge of a company that was facing bankruptcy. This short test for making decisions became the guide for sales, production, advertising, and all relations with suppliers and customers. The survival of the company is credited to this simple philosophy.
 
Officially adopted by Rotary in 1943, the Four-Way Test asks the following four questions:
 
“Of the things we think, say or do:
  1. Is it the TRUTH?
  2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
  3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
  4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?”
 

 

 

 

 

 

What is Rotary?

Rotary International is an international service organization which brings together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and advance goodwill and peace around the world. It is a non-political and non-sectarian organization open to all people regardless of race, color, religion, gender, or politics. There are 46,000+ member clubs and 1.4 million members worldwide.
 
 
 

The Goals of the Contest

 
The goals of the Four-Way Test Speech Contest are:
 
  1. To foster principles of ethics in communities, business and everyday personal lives.
  2. To introduce high school students, their families, teachers, and the community at large to the Four-Way Test and the ethical guideline it provides.
  3. To provide high school students with an opportunity to develop and practice public speaking skills, so they can become productive and participatory citizens of their community, country, and world.
 
 

Guidelines

 
  1. The contest is open to all high school students in the Bryan County School Districts, and high school level students living in Bryan County who are homeschooled or attend private schools.
 
  1. The topic of the speech must be original in content and MUST clearly show the practical application of all four points of the Rotary Four-Way Test.
 
  1. The speech must be delivered extemporaneously, and may not be read from a script, but notes on one 3” x 5” card may be used.
 
  1. The speech must be between 5 and 7 minutes long. Cumulative penalty points will be assessed for any speech which is under or over time.
 
  1. Speech contest organizers must NOT identify the speaker, the Rotary Club sponsor, nor any associated Rotarian.
 
  1. Speeches will be judged impartially via the scoring matrix attached.
 
 
 
 
For Further Information or Questions Contact:
Jim Swink (Contest Chairperson)         (580) 317-3943 or jimswink49@yahoo.com
 
 
 
Additional Information
 
 

Dates, Deadlines, & Details

                                                                                                                      
Student Applications Due: Friday, February 10, 2023        
Competition Date:  Saturday, February 18, 2023                 
 
 
Competition Details: The competition will be conducted at the Three Valley Museum,401 W Main Street, Durant, at 10:00 am.  Speakers and their coaches/teachers will receive a complementary snack.
 
 
The winners will be judged, by a panel of three judges, based on the scoring sheet attached, which coaches and students are advised to study thoroughly, WELL in advance of the speech performance date. We also recommend that students and coaches view several examples of winning Four-Way Test Speeches available on YouTube. There are MANY fine examples online.
 
 
Speakers will have amplification. They will be able to choose between a hand-held microphone, and a microphone on a stand.
 
 
Any questions coaches, parents, or students may have can be addressed to Jim Swink, Durant Rotary Club , 580-317-3943 or, jimswink49@yahoo.com
 
Judge’s Composite Score Sheet
 
Contestant#_____________           Judge#____________            Date____________
 
Length of speech______________________________________________________         
 
Content (44%)
  1. Practical Application of the 4-Way Test throughout the speech. (1-20)        ____________
  2. Uses examples from peer group experiences. (1-8)                                          ____________
  3. Human interest appeal and color. (1-8)                                                               ____________
  4. Clarity and expression of language. (1-8)                                                             ____________
 
Organization (24%)
  1. Introduction-captures audience’s attention and establishes the major
theme of the speech. (1-8)____________
  1. Development-Ideas presented, supported, and explained in clear,
logical order with smooth transitions. (1-8)____________
  1. Conclusion-Emphasizes major theme in the speech leaving the
audience with a clear, concise message or point of application. (1-8)____________
 
Delivery (32%)
  1. Clear enunciation and pronunciation of words. (1-8)                                     ____________
  2. Good vocal projection (easy to hear volume) and voice expressiveness
(tone and pacing). (1-8)____________
  1. Good eye contact and rapport with audience. (1-8)                                       ____________
  2. Relaxed yet commanding use of posture and gestures. (1-8)                       ____________
 
Maximum possible points: 100                              Points earned                           ____________
                                                                                      Penalty                                      ____________
                                                                                      Total points earned                ____________
Special Comments by Judge:
 
 
                                        Four-Way Test Speech Contest – Bryan County

Teacher/Coach Intent to Compete Form 2023

 
 
 
 
 
Name of Supervising Teacher (please print):                                                                                   Name of School:                                                                                                                  
Mobile Phone Number:                                        Email:                                                        
 
 
 
 
  • I expect to have (approximate number)                                 student entrants.
  • I will review the contest information with these students.
  • The students will perform their speeches for me for practice and feedback.
  • The speeches will conform to the guidelines specified.
  • I will arrange for the students to attend the competition.
 
 
Coach or Supervising Teacher Signature:                                                                                         
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For Further Information or Questions Contact: Rotary Club of Durant, Jim Swink, 580-317-3943, jimswink49@yahoo.com
 
 
 
Four-Way Test Speech Contest – Bryan County Contestant Entry Form 2020
Due Feb 10, 2023
School:                                                                                                                         
 
 
Name of Student:                                                                                                         Mailing Address:                                                                                                                         Phone Number:                                                                             Age:                                    Email Address:                                                                                                                         
 
 
Media Release Consent for Parents/Guardians/Adult Speakers
My signature on this document gives my consent to Rotary Club of Durant to photograph or videotape me/my child and to use such videos, photos, voice or other likeness for future public awareness including print media, online news distribution, Rotary Club of Durant website, television and radio opportunities, video, promotional materials and other educational or exhibition purposes.
 
Parent or Guardian if Student is under 18, Student’s name if Over 18:
Printed Name:                                                                                             Signature:                                                                                                                     
 
Name of Supervising Teacher:                                                                                 
Phone Number:                                      Email Address:                                            
 
 
 
 
For Further Information or Questions Contact: Rotary Club of Durant, Jim Swink, 580-317-3943, jimswink49@yahoo.com
 
 
 
Below this line FOR CLUB USE -       CONTESTANT    #