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1 Pierce County Extension/4-H P.O. Box College Ave., Suite 101 Blackshear, Georgia Office: Fax: This book belongs to Teacher/Club Name

2 What is DPA? DPA stands for District Project Achievement. This is a public speaking/presentation competition. This book will help you write a 5 paragraph essay that will turn into your DPA speech. DPA is as easy as 1, 2, 3! Step 1: Pick a Project topics can be over A-N-Y-thing Step 2: Prepare a Presentation speech and display Step 3: Present to the Judges at the competition The competition dates are Saturday, November 12 th in Lyons, GA or Saturday, March 18 th in Alma, GA. There is no fee to participate in this competition. 4-H ers who compete actually have a lot of fun on this day trip and also earn a FREE summer reward trip. Don t lose your DPA Book. We will work on these in club meetings each month. Then, you ll be almost all the way ready for the competition. Parents should call the 4-H Office at or visit our website ugaextension.com/pierce for more information. 4-H DPA Book Page 2

3 4-H DPA Book Page 3

4 Tips about the Introduction Paragraph Start off with a WOW factor related to your topic use a quote tell a funny joke share an interesting fact have a catchy saying Use one of these to grab your audience s attention. 4-H DPA Book Page 4

5 Introduction Use complete sentences to answer these questions, Circle one greeting: Hello! Good morning! What is your name? What grade are you in? What school do you go to? What is a quote, joke or interesting fact that will grab your audience s attention? What is your topic? Now, combine the greeting and sentences to make a paragraph. This becomes the 1 st paragraph. 4-H DPA Book Page 5

6 Tips about the Reason Paragraphs Do research on your topic to have the most interesting information. You can use books, videos, the internet and more. Use trusted sources when doing research. Websites ending like these mostly have factual information:.gov.edu.org Do NOT copy information word-for-word! Put the information you find in your own words. Quote sources like this According to the article Eco-friendly Garden on ugaextension.edu, plant selection directly affects beneficial insect populations. And then reword the quote like this This means, choosing the right plants can help attract insects, like bees, that are important pollinators. 4-H DPA Book Page 6

7 Reason #1 Use complete sentences to answer these questions, What is the topic of Reason #1? What is a detail you found from doing research? Can you quote the source? What is something that most people wouldn t know about Reason #1? What is a So what?! statement about this reason? What is a good way to transition or give a sneak peak of the next reason? Now, combine the sentences to make a paragraph. This becomes the 2 nd paragraph. 4-H DPA Book Page 7

8 Tips about the Reason Paragraphs Use transition words to connect ideas across paragraphs. Connect paragraphs like this End of Reason #1 Paragraph: Unlike the Grizzly bear, the polar bear is white. Beginning of Reason #2 Paragraph: The polar bear blends in with its environment, the snow, similar to the Grizzly bear blending in with the forest. 4-H DPA Book Page 8

9 Reason #2 Use complete sentences to answer these questions, What is the topic of Reason #2? What is a detail you found from doing research? Can you quote the source? What is something that most people wouldn t know about Reason #2? What is a So what?! statement about this reason? What is a good way to transition or give a sneak peak of the next reason? Now, combine the sentences to make a paragraph. This becomes the 3 rd paragraph. 4-H DPA Book Page 9

10 Tips about the Reason Paragraphs Try to use words that can make you sound like a high schooler or maybe even a college professor. Replace dead words like this Instead of using dead words: Artists use lots of stuff to paint and draw. Use words that are alive: Artists have many tools they use to create masterpieces. 4-H DPA Book Page 10

11 Reason #3 Use complete sentences to answer these questions, What is the topic of Reason #3? What is a detail you found from doing research? Can you quote the source? What is something that most people wouldn t know about Reason #3? What is a So what?! statement about this reason? How can you wrap up your final reason and lead into the conclusion? Now, combine the sentences to make a paragraph. This becomes the 4 th paragraph. 4-H DPA Book Page 11

12 Tips about the Conclusion Paragraph Find a creative way to finish your essay. Restate the three main reasons Explain why you chose this topic Share careers related to your topic Tell how the audience can learn more Make sure the audience feels like they leave knowing more about your topic than they did before you shared. 4-H DPA Book Page 12

13 Conclusion Use complete sentences to answer these questions, Why did you chose this topic? What is the main idea of Reason #1? What is the main idea of Reason #2? What is the main idea of Reason #3? What are some careers related to your topic or how can the audience learn more? Now, combine the sentences to make a paragraph. This becomes the 5 th paragraph. 4-H DPA Book Page 13

14 We will use The Writing Process for DPA projects. Pick a topic and begin an outline using a graphic organizer. Write the first draft. Five paragraphs: Introduction, Body (3), and Conclusion Do additional research to add more details and chose better wording. Have a classmate or even your parents read and offer suggestions. Type your finished essay and begin working on a presentation: using either posters or digital slides. 4-H DPA Book Page 14

15 The Final Product: Rewrite your 5 Paragraph Essay 4-H DPA Book Page 15

16 Informational Displays One of the final steps to preparing your DPA project is making an informational display. These can be done in two main ways: Posters either a tri-fold board or multiple poster boards Digital using Google Slides or PowerPoint Either way, presentation information should be a list of talking points and can include some pictures or graphics. Do NOT put paragraphs on your information displays! Here is an example of a good informational display: First, make sure your essay is the best that it can be. 4-H Leaders should approve each essay before 4-H ers begin working on informational displays. 4-H DPA Book Page 16

17 Sketch a draft of your Informational Display Title Poster Reason #1 Poster Reason #2 Poster Reason #3 Poster 4-H DPA Book Page 17

18 For more information, please contact Pierce County 4-H at ugaextension.com/pierce come by our office at 705 College Avenue Blackshear, GA or visit We hope your 4-H er will take advantage of this fun, learning opportunity. 4-H DPA Book Page 18