Superstitions Speech Outline

Superstitions Informative Speech
General Purpose – To Inform
Specific Purpose – To inform the audience of superstitions
Central Idea – The origin of superstitions, the different superstitions, superstitions in religions, and why people have/create superstitions

INTRODUCTION 1. “When you believe in things, That you don 't understand,
Then you suffer, Superstition ain’t the way” –Stevie Wonder 2. Superstitions have been around since the earliest days of humanity a. Everyone has been superstitious i. I used to not step on cracks 3. There are different outlooks on superstitions b. they will help you c. they can hurt you d. they are sinful ii. different religions view superstitions differently
ORIGINS
1. Derived from Latin superstito but got its meaning from superstes meaning “outliving” or “surviving” a. often considered relics or outmoded ways of thinking 2. they have been around since the start of humanity b. some have developed over centuries and were passed down by observational learning i. you don’t have to be told, you just see and learn 3. Created to deal with fear of the unknown c. They are a way to gain control over events so you don’t feel so helpless 4. Superstitions are really just coincidences d. Come from false pretenses of natural events 5. Deeply influences history because it affects the way people think of things e. All people have been superstitious
RELIGION
1. Non-religious people label religion as superstitious a. Paranoid about the future b. Different rituals because we think we can influence the was God decided things for our lives and others 2. A religious person in some areas might have a sacrifice to ensure good harvest c. They put the power in the hands of the deity 3. Roman Catholic Church thinks it’s sinful because you are not putting your faith in God, but instead something else d. Denotes lack of trust in God e. Violates the 10 Commandments “no other gods before me” f. Superstition is the deviation of religious feeling

COMMON SUPERSTITIONS 1. Friday the 13th – bad luck a. Judas 13th guest, Jesus crucified on Friday 2. Walking under a ladder – bad luck b. Walking through a triangle tempts fate or awakens spirits with the triangle c. Counter is by thumb in between index and middle finger d. Cross fingers in both hands and call upon the cross to protect you from evil 3. Breaking a Mirror – bad luck e. 7 years of bad luck = time for body the entire physical body f. It’s a reflection of the soul so it was harmful to break g. Counter by burying the mirror in the moonlight 4. Black Cats – bad luck h. Witched kept them as companions 5. Finding a horseshoe – good luck i. Found with end pointing towards you j. Pick up with right hand and throw over left shoulder and leave it where it lands k. Place it at the entrance of home – lucky for family l. Number of nails left = years of good luck to come 6. Salt – good luck m. Tossing salt over left shoulder drives away evil spirits that were there to cause misfortune 7. Knocking on wood – reverse bad luck n. People would ask favors from the gods by touching the tree and would knock to say thank you o. You knock on wood when you say something good to say thanks and make it seem like you aren’t gloating
WHY PEOPLE HAVE SUPERSTITIONS 1. Already said everyone at some point has done it a. Held irrational beliefs about things 2. Actors, miners, fishermen, and gamblers are more superstitious b. Success in these fields are more dependent on the person them self c. Creates superstitions to be successful 3. Most are born out of casual coincidence d. Lucky socks – athletes

CONCLUSION 1. Life would be completely different without superstitions a. Maybe less fun 2. We all do it and make up our own to the reason our day is bad or the reason we did good on a test 3. Think about the reason next time you are superstitious. Interesting
Works Cited

1. "SUPERSTITIONS." Oracle ThinkQuest Library. Web. 8 Oct. 2010. <http://library.thinkquest.org/27661/docs/super.htm>.

2. "Superstition - New World Encyclopedia." Info:Main Page - New World Encyclopedia. Web. 8 Oct. 2010. <http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Superstition>.

3. Travis, Wendy. “10 Common Superstitions: Myths Revealed: The Origin of Common Superstition”. 8 Oct. 2010. <http://www.lifescript.com/Soul/Spirit/Beliefs/10_Common_Superstitions.aspx>.

Cited: 1. "SUPERSTITIONS." Oracle ThinkQuest Library. Web. 8 Oct. 2010. &lt;http://library.thinkquest.org/27661/docs/super.htm&gt;. 2. "Superstition - New World Encyclopedia." Info:Main Page - New World Encyclopedia. Web. 8 Oct. 2010. &lt;http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Superstition&gt;. 3. Travis, Wendy. “10 Common Superstitions: Myths Revealed: The Origin of Common Superstition”. 8 Oct. 2010. &lt;http://www.lifescript.com/Soul/Spirit/Beliefs/10_Common_Superstitions.aspx&gt;.