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Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Section 1Welcome to Merryweather High – Our Fearless Leader

(page 1-17)

Before class, read the assigned pages above. Then answer the questions below. Bring this paper to class.

Part I: Getting Started

1. On the very first page of the book you will find a letter written by Laurie Halse Anderson. Who are the addressees of the letter? What is the content and purpose of her letter?

2. What is the purpose of the book’s dedication? To whom does the author dedicate the book? Why?

3. The cover of the novel ; Look at the back cover first. Read the extract from the novel. Look at the picture on the front. Based on what you have read/seen what can you tell me about the protagonist? Who is the main character? What clues do you pick up about him/her?


4. The novel is divided into four main parts called “marking periods”. What do they represent? What can you find at the end of each period? (You may ask native speakers of English for help).

5. CLANS! On page 4 of our novel, Melinda talks about clans that Merryweather High students belong to. What are they?Who belongs to what clan? (Again, you may ask for help people who graduated from or go to a high school in the United States).

Name of the Clan Characteristics of the Clan

Jocks

Country Clubbers

Idiot Savants

Cheerleaders

Human Waste

Eurotrash

Future Fascists of America

Big Hair Chix

The Marthas

Suffering Artists

Thespians

Goths

Shredders


6. In this part of the novel Melinda introduces several of her teachers. What can you tell me about Mr. Neck, Hairwoman, Mr. Freeman and her Spanish teacher? Which one has the most interesting personality? Why? Which one would you like to have as your teacher?

7. Describe the Art class. What happens during the class? What does Mr. Freeman mean by saying: “you just chose your destiny, you can’t change it.” What does “destiny” refer to?

8. Tell me about Melinda’s family? Is it an average American family? Yes/No Why? How, if at all, does the family differ from yours?

9. Look at page 15 and read again Melinda’s description of her room. What does it tell you about Melinda?

FYI: For more information about Laurie Halse Anderson and her novels check out these websites: http://www.writerlady.com


Part II: Idioms & Idiomatic ExpressionsIdioms are “figures of speech.” They are groups of words that have a special meaning attached to them. Often, the literal meaning of the words is completely different from the idiomatic meaning.

For example: It’s raining cats and dogs. (It is raining very hard.)The used car my sister bought is a lemon. (The car always breaks down and is not reliable.)

There are several common idioms in Section 1. What is the meaning of the idioms below:

a) backseat wastecase (p. 3) –

b) to be in a deep doo-doo (p. 15) –

Part III: PersonificationPersonification is a literary device in which a verb normally used to describe a human action is applied to a non-human subject. Look at p.16. Find the example of personification and explain why you chose it.


Part IV: VocabularyMake a list of new vocabulary in Section 1. Write the word, the definition, the part of speech, and other forms in the same word family.

New Vocabulary Part of Speech Definition Other Forms

To dread verbTo anticipate with

great apprehension or fear

Dread (noun)Dreadful (adjective)Dreadfully (adverb)

Demerit

Indoctrination


Section 2Our Fearless Leader-Acting

(page 17-32)


Part I: Language and Meaning

1. In this part of the novel Melinda describes her “friends”: Nicole, Rachel and Heather. Who are they? What do we find out about their personalities and appearance? Are they good friends of Melina?

2. On page 22, Melinda titles her journal entry: “Exchange students are ruining our country”. Why does she choose such a title? Do you agree with her opinion?

3. The title ; Each chapter of the novel has a title. What is the purpose of titles in general? What do you think about the title “Heathering” on page 22. What or who does the title refer to? Do you find it interesting? Why?


4. “Burrow”! What is it? What does Melinda find there? Why does she say (p. 26) that it is a perfect place for her?

5. Heather and Melinda go to a pep rally. What is it? Do you have pep rallies in high schools in your home countries?

6. Cheerleaders! Who are those girls? What is Melinda trying to tell us when she mentions that they “operate in two realities”?

7. The Opposite of Inspiration Is … Expiration? What does it mean?


Part II: Simile & MetaphorSimile is a figure of speech that adds color and creativity to writing. Similes make a comparison between two things that normally are unrelated. Simile uses “like” or “as” to make the comparison.

For example:The baby smelled fresh as a daisy.My sister and I are like two peas in a pod.

Metaphor is another figure of speech that makes a comparison. However, it is a shortcut form because it does not use “like” or “as.” For example,

John’s daughter is pure sunshine.This research project is a headache.

Look for simile and metaphor in Section 2. Write your examples and the page number here:

Simile Metaphor

Part III: Idioms Again…Idioms add color and interest to writing. Idioms are words or phrases that have a special meaning that is different from their literal meaning.

There are several idioms in Section 2. What is the meaning of the idioms below:

a) To give someone a dirty look (p. 29) –

b) to go nuts (p. 29) –


Part IV: Vocabulary

Make a list of new vocabulary in Section 2. Write the word, the definition, the part of speech, and other forms in the same word family.


Humiliating adjectivemaking (someone) feel ashamed and foolish by injuring

their dignity and self-respect, esp.

publicly

To humiliate (v)Humiliation (n)

Humiliatingly (adv)


Section 3Acting-Closet Space

(page 32-50)



1. In “Acting”, Melinda confesses that she is a good actor. How does she support this statement? Why does she act the way she does?

2. Look at the format of “Dinner Theater” on page 35. Does the chapter look like the previous chapters? What does it remind you of? Why does Melinda talk about herself in third person?

3. During the Spanish lesson students start to call Melinda Me-no-linda. Why do they do that? What is the meaning of Me-no-linda?


4. Who are “ The Marthas”? What do they do? What is the origin of the name? (You will not be able to find the answer to the last question in the novel)

5. Who is IT on pages 45 and 46? What is Melinda’s reaction to IT?

6. Look at Melinda’s Report Card on page 46. Are students really graded on these “subjects”?

Part II: Simile & Metaphor Again…Simile is a figure of speech that adds color and creativity to writing. Similes make a comparison between two things that normally are unrelated. Simile uses “like” or “as” to make the comparison.

For example:The football player ran like a jack rabbit.Their presentation in speech class was as smooth as silk.


Metaphor is another figure of speech that makes a comparison. However, it is a shortcut form because it does not use “like” or “as.” Usually a metaphor uses the “be” verb.

For example:Not having the textbook to do the homework is a whale of a problem.It was a nightmare driving home in the rain.

Sometimes the writer uses metaphorical language, but it isn’t a perfect metaphor.

For example:His hair was the color of French vanilla ice cream.The sky was the color of lemons.

Look for simile, metaphor, and metaphorical language in Section 3. Write your examples and the page number here:

Simile Metaphor or Metaphorical Language

Part III: ForeshadowingForeshadowing is an element of plot when the protagonist gives the readers hints or clues to suggest what will happen later in the story.

Go back to page 40. Read the paragraph starting with “ Last year, our clan all dressed up as witches” again. What is Melinda trying to say?


Part IV: Phrasal VerbsPhrasal verbs have more than one word. All of the words are necessary for the meaning to be clear.

For example:I look forward to meeting your parents when they visit Portland.After dating for one year, Sara and Alex broke up.

There are many phrasal verbs in Section 3. Make a list of them and explain their meanings below:

Part V: IronyIrony is a literary device, in which there is a disagreement between what one says or does and what one means or what is generally understood. Irony is a mode of expression that calls attention to the character's knowledge and that of the audience.

A famous case of tragic irony occurs in the William Shakespeare play, Romeo and Juliet. When Romeo finds Juliet in a drugged death-like sleep, he assumes her to be dead and kills himself. Upon awakening to find her dead lover beside her, Juliet kills herself with his knife.

Go back to page 43 and try to find an example of irony there.


Part VI: VocabularyMake a list of new vocabulary in Section 3. Write the word, the definition, the part of speech, and other forms in the same word family.


Artsy adjectivemaking a strong,

affected, or pretentious display of being artistic or

interested in the arts

Artsiness (n)


Section 4Closet Space-Hard Labor

(page 50-72)



1. When Melinda decides to refurbish and decorate her closet, she covers the wall with a poster of Maya Angelou. Do you think that the poster of Maya is a random choice, or it has a symbolic meaning?

2. Melinda decides to do her Spanish homework. On page 51, you will find a list of four verbs she chooses to conjugate. Again, are those verbs random? What may they reflect?

3. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is the part of the United States Bill of Rights. What does it guarantee?


4. Why do Mr. Neck and David Petrakis have an argument? How does Melinda feel about David’s behavior in the social studies class? What does she mean in her commend: “he says a million things without saying a word”? How is the conflict between Mr. Neck and David resolved?

5. On page 58, Melinda uses an expression “Kodak Logic” to describe the relationships between her family members. Can you explain the meaning of the expression?

6. Describe Melinda’s parents’ preparation for the Thanksgiving dinner?

7. What does Melinda do with the turkey bones? What does Mr. Freeman say about it?


Part II: Similes & Metaphors; Idioms & Phrasal VerbsAgain, there are many similes, metaphors, idioms and phrasal verbs in Section 4. List some examples below:

Similes: Metaphors:

Idioms: Phrasal Verbs:

Part III: VocabularyMake a list of new vocabulary in Section 4. Write the word, the definition, the part of speech, and other forms in the same word family.


To dump verbdeposit or dispose of (garbage, waste, or unwanted material)

Dump (n)

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