California Youth Leadership Council Resources
What is a Podcast?
A Podcast engages your audience through voices, audios, and interviews. Script conversations to portray your topic and thoughts surrounding it.
Rules
General rules for an podcast include:
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Your podcast must be an original production
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Your podcast must correctly portray your historical evidence
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Your podcast must include your analysis
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You must have access to all equipment needed to create and run your project
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You must not dramatize or re-enact historical events or figures in your podcast
Please note that podcasts are a California specific category. They will NOT go past the state-level competition!
Podcast Rule Book
Podcast Judging Rubric (Elementary Division)
Visit the following resources to help create your Podcast!
Podcast Judging Rubric (Junior + Senior Divisions)
Where to Start
A step-to-step guide on how to start creating your podcast!
1. Gather your research - collect your primary and secondary sources needed to get the full picture of your topic. This is where you should become an expert on your topic! Journal, newspaper, and some website articles are a great source of primary sources, and can help give you the perspective of the public's view of your topic! Websites and books are great secondary sources that summarize your topic!
2. Write and revise your thesis - make sure that you have a strong thesis that connects to the theme. After a brief introduction of your topic, record your thesis in the podcast. Ensure that all topics that you plan to mention in your podcast are mentioned in your thesis! (If you want more information on how to write a strong thesis, click here)
4. Write your script - digitally or physically write out your entire script! This includes what you plan to say. Make sure you include your thesis in your script!!! Go into as much detail in your script as needed to ensure that your recording and editing processes go as smoothly as possible.
5. Record your audio - use a reliable recording software to record (and export to your editing software if needed) your audios. Make sure that your voice is steady, and don't talk too fast to ensure that your audience can make out what you are saying. This part may take a few takes.
6. String your audios together - if you recorded your podcast in separate chunks, use a reliable editing software to string them all together.
Sample Podcasts
Tips
1. Talk loud!
You need to ensure that your audience (including judges) can hear what you are saying.
2. Talk at a medium speed.
You don't need to talk super slow or super fast, but talking in the middle makes it clear to your audience what you are saying.
3. Practice!
If you are in a group, practice as many times as possible together. While reading lines by yourself is good, you should run through your full podcast together to ensure everything runs smoothly.