SPEAK

SPEAK
BY LAURIE HALSE ANDERSON
SPEAK
Literary Elements
THEME
The central idea of a story
(also called motif)
SPEAK
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
SPEAK
Literary Elements
CHARACTER
A person or personality in a
story, drama, poem, or
novel.
SPEAK
Literary Elements
MOTIVATION
The causes or reasons for
a character’s behavior in a
story
SPEAK
Literary Elements
FIRST PERSON
POINT OF VIEW
When a character is telling
the story—it is usually told
by the main character
SPEAK
Literary Elements
TONE
The attitude a writer takes
toward a subject,
character, or the reader
SPEAK
Literary Elements
FLASHBACK
An episode from the past
that sometimes interrupts
the plot
SPEAK
Speak is contemporary,
realistic fiction. It is set in
present day Syracuse,
New York.
SPEAK
Characters
Melinda Sordino
SPEAK
Characters
Melinda Sordino
Melinda is the main character
and narrator of the story. She is
a 9th grader at Merryweather
High School. She had something
happen to her the previous
summer that traumatized her.
SPEAK
Characters
David Petrakis
SPEAK
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.
SPEAK
Characters
Andy Evans
SPEAK
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.
SPEAK
Characters
Rachel Bruin
SPEAK
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.
SPEAK
Characters
Mr. Freeman
SPEAK
Characters
Mr. Freeman
Mr. Freeman is Melinda’s art
teacher. He is different from
most teachers, and Melinda
develops a bond with him.
SPEAK
Characters
Joyce Sordino
SPEAK
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.
SPEAK
Characters
Jack Sordino
SPEAK
Characters
Jack Sordino
Jack is Melinda’s dad.
He sells insurance.
SPEAK
Characters
Mr. Neck
SPEAK
Characters
Mr. Neck
Mr. Neck is Melinda’s social
studies teacher. He abuses
his authority as a teacher.
SPEAK
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
SPEAK
Other Characters
The Marthas—one of the groups
(cliques) of girls at MHS
Ms. Connors—the girls’ gym
teacher
Hairwoman—Melinda’s English
teacher
SPEAK
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
SPEAK
 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
Speak is about a
sensitive subject and
contains some crude
language. Reader
discretion is advised.
SPEAK
Introduction
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YFuZuGItv0
What is the tone of the story so
far?
SPEAK--Themes
 Isolation
 Violence
 Education
 Friendship
 Sadness
 Transformation
 Guilt And Blame
SPEAK--Symbolism
Changing Seasons
Seeds and Trees
Melinda’s Grades
SPEAK
There will be an activity
on quotes, themes, and
symbols in Speak to be
completed when we are
finished reading the
book.
SPEAK 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
SPEAK
TEST
SPEAK
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.