BY LAURIE HALSE ANDERSON
Literary Elements THEME The central idea of a story (also called motif)
Literary Elements SYMBOLISM The use of an ordinary object, person, or animal to which we attach a meaning Ex. eagle=bravery, nobility lion=courage fox or wolf=slyness, deceit, trickery donkey=stupidity
Literary Elements CHARACTER A person or personality in a story, drama, poem, or novel.
Literary Elements MOTIVATION The causes or reasons for a character s behavior in a story
Literary Elements FIRST PERSON POINT OF VIEW When a character is telling the story it is usually told by the main character
Literary Elements TONE The attitude a writer takes toward a subject, character, or the reader
Literary Elements FLASHBACK An episode from the past that sometimes interrupts the plot
Speak is contemporary, realistic fiction. It is set in present day Syracuse, New York.
Characters Melinda Sordino
Characters Melinda Sordino Melinda is the main character and narrator of the story. She is a 9 th grader at Merryweather High School. She had something happen to her the previous summer that traumatized her.
Characters David Petrakis
Characters David Petrakis David is a brainiac who is in Melinda s biology and social studies classes. He is one of the few people who treat Melinda decently.
Characters Andy Evans
Characters Andy Evans Andy is a senior who seems to have a history of sexually assaulting girls. Melinda refers to him as It in the story.
Characters Rachel Bruin
Characters Rachel Bruin Rachel used to be Melinda s best friend, but not any more. She is important to the story because she is important to Melinda.
Characters Mr. Freeman
Characters Mr. Freeman Mr. Freeman is Melinda s art teacher. He is different from most teachers, and Melinda develops a bond with him.
Characters Joyce Sordino
Characters Joyce Sordino Joyce is Melinda s mother. She is a hardworking manager of a clothing store. She has a hard time balancing home and career.
Characters Jack Sordino
Characters Jack Sordino Jack is Melinda s dad. He sells insurance.
Characters Mr. Neck
Characters Mr. Neck Mr. Neck is Melinda s social studies teacher. He abuses his authority as a teacher.
Other Characters Heather from Ohio; she is the new kid in town and desperately wants to fit in Ivy and Nicole two of the girls in Melinda s former circle of friends
Other Characters The Marthas one of the groups (cliques) of girls at MHS Ms. Connors the girls gym teacher Hairwoman Melinda s English teacher
Other Characters Ms. Keen Melinda s biology teacher Principal Principal the principal of the school he likes to harass the students and is generally quite clueless The Guidance Counselor she tries to help Melinda and her parents, but is also clueless
Melinda is the narrator of the story. The book is divided into four marking periods. Notice at the end of each marking period there is a report card. Notice the use of flashbacks in the story.
Speak is about a sensitive subject and contains some crude language. Reader discretion is advised.
Introduction http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yfuzugitv0 What is the tone of the story so far?
--Themes Isolation Violence Education Friendship Sadness Transformation Guilt And Blame
--Symbolism Changing Seasons Seeds and Trees Melinda s Grades
There will be an activity on quotes, themes, and symbols in Speak to be completed when we are finished reading the book.
Playlist Unwell http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6risoflzdzm Sullen Girl http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdpd5ikaa5u Damaged http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he4uyikvgbs Bring Me to Life http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96miyk9vyvc In the End http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4et0k4pfcvi Somewhere I Belong http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxghc3prvfm
TEST
We will go over the study packet info on Wednesday. We will watch the movie today and finish it on Wednesday if needed. Test will be on Wednesday after we finish going over the study packet.