The Rotary Four-Way Test Speech Contest for (Fill in name of school) The Rotary Club of (Fill in Club name) School Year

What is the Four-Way Test? The Four-Way Test was created in 1932 and adopted by Rotary International in It asks the following questions: –Is it the Truth? –Is it Fair to all concerned? –Will it build goodwill and better friendships? –Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Teaching the Four-Way Test to Students The Rotary Club of (fill in club) will promote the Four-Way Test in (fill in school) in the following way: –High school students will address all four questions by creating a speech in speech/debate classes.

Eligibility Any (fill in school) High School student may compete, except for any previous winner of a District 7620 Four-Way Test Speech Contest. Immediate family members of Rotarians are not eligible to compete.

Contest Rules Subject - Application of the Rotary Four-Way Test to a topic of the contestant’s choice. Length of Speech - no less than four (4) minutes and no more than six (6) minutes. Penalty points will be deducted from the contestant’s score for violation of time constraints. Speech Contest must be original. Judging Format – see next slide.

Judging Format Evaluation and judging based upon speaking criteria: –Opening - dynamic opening commanding immediate audience attention –Use of the Four-Way Test - each part of the 4 Way Test must be used in the speech –Content - clear, effective theme with supporting documentation, examples and/or other data to support the main theme. –Organization - well organized with an orderly presentation of premise, contents and conclusion –Delivery – Forceful, commanding, well-modulated, entertaining, enlightening, and interesting with effective and correct use of the English language (contestant must not read the speech) –Overall reaction – speaker’s poise and effectiveness of speech in leaving audience with a message, and the general impact of the complete package: speaker, speech, delivery.

Rotary Club Level (fill in school) should choose from 2-6 students to compete at the first level of the contest (fill in club level). To be held at (fill in date, time and location). Family members and teachers are invited as guest (a head count must be given by insert date) The Rotary Club or contest committee shall identify the club contest winner using the judging guidelines in the Judging Format Slide (see previous slide). The winner of the club level contest will receive a cash prize of fill in amount from the Rotary Club of fill in club. The winner of the club level contest will compete at the District Semi-Finals.

Rotary District Semi-Finals The winner of the club level contest will participate in the District Semi-Finals on April 9 th at Glen Burnie High School. Participants will present their speeches to the assembled group and competition judges. (Judges will be from various Rotary Clubs.) Judges will select winners using the judging guidelines in the Judging Format Slide. No prizes shall be awarded for Semi-Finals competition Phase. A maximum of four (4) contestants will be selected for participation in the District Finals.

Rotary District Finals The final competition for District Championship will be held at the District 7620 District Assembly on April 30th at the Turf Valley Resort and Conference Center in Ellicott City (Transportation will be provided by the Rotary Club sponsoring the participant if needed.) The participants present their speeches to the assembled Rotarians at the District Conference; all Rotarians present will be allowed to evaluate and judge each speech, using the Judging Guidelines in the Judging Format Slide. Cash prizes will be awarded as follows: –1 st prize - $1,500 –2 nd prize - $1,000 –3 rd prize – $ 750 –4 th prize - $ 500

Summary of Rotary Four-4 Way Contest Rules The four parts of the 4-Way Test must be included in the speech. The speech must be at least four(4) minutes and not more than six (6) minutes in length. A penalty will be assessed for time violations. The speech may not be read. The speech may be on any subject.

Summary of Prizes Club Level Contest – Cash prize of $100 to the winner of the contest at the Rotary Club fill in club Rotary District Semi-Finals – No prizes for the Semi-Finals held at Glen Burnie High School on April 9; a maximum of four contestants will be selected for participation in the District Finals Rotary District Finals – Cash prizes will be awarded to the 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd, and 4 th place winners in amounts of $1,500, $1,000, $750, and $500 respectively.

For more information Contact Mike Phennicie of the Rotary Club of Glen Burnie if you need more information about the Rotary Four-Way Test Speech Contest – please send questions to or call

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