MAGIC IN GOOD HEALTH
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1994
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Abstract
This presentation is a health education lecture using magic effects. It covers alcohol, smoking and drugs, sexuality, sexually transmitted diseases, nutrition, and other health topics. It is a working outline for a presentation that can last from ten minutes to an hour depending what magic effects are used. It includes the “patter” (factual health information), effects (what the audience sees), equipment and material for the effects, and where to place items before and after the presentation. This magic lecture was presented in different forms and venues during 1992-1997.
Description
Some important things to know before using magic as an educational tool include the MAGICIANS CODES OF ETHICS and basic rules of presenting a “magic show” whether for education or entertainment. (1). First and most importantly after you have shown a trick NEVER TELL YOUR AUDIENCE HOW IT WAS DONE OR REVEAL THE SECRET of the TRICK. The reasons for this are many. One reason is because most of the secrets or gimmicks to make a trick work are really easy once you know them. If you tell people how you did it, you ruin the effect for that person. You may teach these techniques to peer educators. However, it is important to remind them that when they present the
effects they need to follow the magicians code of ethics.
(2). NEVER REPEAT A TRICK FOR THE SAME AUDIENCE. The more often you repeat a trick the more likely the audience is to figure out how you did it. Magic works by surprise as people don't know what you are planning to do next. Do a different trick with a similar theme. (3). PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. Do not do the trick unless you have practiced it. The best place to practice is in front of a mirror. (4). If you are watching a magician preform, never reveal the trick to your friends or audience. (5). Read magic books AND WATCH magicians perform. 6. GIVE CREDIT TO THE ORIGINATOR OF ORIGINAL TRICKS or PATTER when teaching the technique. For example, the COIN TO THE CONDOM PATTER IS MY INVENTION but the "gypsy switch" technique is ancient and can be found in many books including Klutz Book of Magic.
Other papers in Dr. Engs’ repository that discuss magic for health education are found at: http://hdl.handle.net/2022/17593 and http://hdl.handle.net/2022/17568
(2). NEVER REPEAT A TRICK FOR THE SAME AUDIENCE. The more often you repeat a trick the more likely the audience is to figure out how you did it. Magic works by surprise as people don't know what you are planning to do next. Do a different trick with a similar theme. (3). PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. Do not do the trick unless you have practiced it. The best place to practice is in front of a mirror. (4). If you are watching a magician preform, never reveal the trick to your friends or audience. (5). Read magic books AND WATCH magicians perform. 6. GIVE CREDIT TO THE ORIGINATOR OF ORIGINAL TRICKS or PATTER when teaching the technique. For example, the COIN TO THE CONDOM PATTER IS MY INVENTION but the "gypsy switch" technique is ancient and can be found in many books including Klutz Book of Magic.
Other papers in Dr. Engs’ repository that discuss magic for health education are found at: http://hdl.handle.net/2022/17593 and http://hdl.handle.net/2022/17568
Keywords
Magic tricks, sex education, alcohol, smoking, tobacco education
Citation
Engs, Ruth C. (1994) MAGIC IN GOOD HEALTH. Presented: AAHPER Annual Meeting, Denver, CO. April and MINI University, Bloomington, IN, June. Retrieved from IUScholarWorks Repository: http://hdl.handle.net/2022/18512
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This work is licensed for reuse under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial license. for permission to reuse this work for commercial purposes, please contact Dr. Ruth Engs or IU Archives.
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Presentation