...Imagine a high schooler has everyone against them, but they haven’t done anything wrong. Deep inside they’re burning. Their best friend is now their worst enemy. Their parents don't even take time out of their day to ask them how they’re doing. All the teachers, always harassing them. The counselor tells them that they need help, but never taking the next steps of actually helping the student themselves. They have a secret sunk deep into their heart and mind. They have been raped by their ex-best friends new senior-boyfriend. Why bother even saying anything, no one will listen anyways. In the book Speak by author Laurie Halse Anderson, Melinda Sordino goes through exactly this. She experiences many turning points along her eventful 9th grade...
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...hair the wrong clothes the wrong attitude. And I don't have anyone to sit with” (pg.4) “Speak” by Laurie Halse Anderson is about Melinda who is the main character in the book . The quote above mentioned that Melinda started school on the wrong foot and that was because she was sexually assaulted at a party. She did call the cops which was the right thing to do, but now everybody is mad at her. It is all because of Andy Evens it wasn't even her fault. First, Melinda starts High School as a freshmen with no friends. A group of people were laughing at her when she didn't do anything. Mels ex best friend Rachel was the reason why the group was making fun of her. “I turn around. Its Rachel surrounded by a bunch of kids” (pg.4) Rachel is really mean to Mellie and nobody knows why she called the cops, and she is too shy to talk about it or tell anyone. Melinda when she comes to the cafeteria for lunch she always runs out at lunch because she has nowhere else to go. That has a big effect on Melinda because she is so lonely and wishes she wishes she had just one friend. There is a girl who follows Mel around, and she doesn't really like her that much because she talks too much. “Heather from Ohio sits with me lunch” “She can talk for...
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...Television, the popular successor to radio and newspapers. Today television shows are used as a form of entertainment. The shows range in genre from comedy to hard hitting dramas, and production of the show must go through many stages until it is finally released to the public. The genre and extensive production effort is all in place to explain the events that are conveyed through this storytelling medium. Much like television shows, novels come with different stories to tell the audience. Filmmakers use props, lighting, and facial expressions, while authors use symbolism to convey subliminal messages. One of many novels that uses symbolism effectively is Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson Throughout the novel, Anderson employs symbolism using...
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...Literary Analysis: Speak Imagine not having a voice to speak out for yourself, your thoughts, and your opinions. In the book “Speak” by Laurie Halse Anderson, the main character Melinda tries to do what she believes is the right thing for herself, but eventually looses everything that's important to her all because she spoke out. Though her high school experience wasn't the best, the one thing that was valuable is the fact she found a voice to speak out about what happened to her. Though it may seem impossible to do, try your very hardest to find that voice, speak out for yourself. The author of “Speak”, Laurie Halse Anderson, was born on October 23rd, 1961 in Potsdam New York. She is most know for young adult and children's novels. Laurie’s...
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...Psychological and Social factors that urges students spread gossip/rumors We should distinguish between rumor and gossip, as each appears to function differently in its pure state. Rumors have been described as public communications that are infused with private hypotheses about how the world works (Rosnow, 1991), or more specifically, ways of making sense to help us cope with our anxieties and uncertainties (Rosnow, 1988, 2001). On the other hand, as Wert and Salovey (2004b) noted, "almost as many functions of gossip have been argued as writers to write about gossip" (p. 77). More than rumor, gossip tends to have an "inner-circleness" about it, in that it is customarily passed between people who have a common history or shared interests. Popular usage defines gossip as "small talk" or "idle talk," but gossip is hardly inconsequential or without purpose (e.g., Gluckman, 1963; Goodman & Ben-Ze'ev, 1994; Rosnow & Georgoudi, 1985; Sabini & Silver, 1982; Spitzberg & Cupach, 1998). For example, it has been theorized that gossip played a fundamental role in the evolution of human intelligence and social life (Dunbar, 2004; Davis & McLeod, 2003) and that it continues to play an active role in cultural learning (Baumeister, Zhang, & Vohs, 2004) and as a source of social comparison information (Suls, 1977; Wert & Salovey, 2004a). To be sure, it is often noted that rumor and gossip can also be undeniably aversive and problematic-currently illustrated, for...
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...Speak Personal Response Speak shows that the author, Laurie Halse Anderson, understands and remembers the crude emotions and unrest that makes up a teen’s world. This happens to be the most realistic fiction story on the battles of adolescence and harassment. Melinda does not turn into a racist activist Wonder Woman (even though she might when she is older) portrayed in some movies and her recovery is not sugar coated, it describes the true struggles. Even though this novel is based on sexual harassment it also focuses on the thoughts and feelings of a victim of the cruelties in high school. Rape and harassment are not issues I have dealt with but the shunning by friends, weird teachers, and oblivious teachers are problems that I and many others can relate to. For instance, the description of the Sordino family’s communication system on page 14 depicts how some teens get cut of from communication with their parents. The author of Speak portrays high school to be truly what it really is. “I am clanless.”(4) Melinda thinks just what practically all teens think. I am part of no clan; I don’t think FFCA has clans but you still fell “uncool” or not popular. Melinda also talks a lot about how no one cares what you have to say and in reality, that is the comprehension countless teens have about adults. Laurie Halse Anderson did a dead-on illustration of a ninth graders’ day to day life in the dog eat weaker dog world we call high school. Creativity and symbolism in writing are...
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...In Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson, the protagonist, Melinda Sordino, is struggling with depression. She attends a party with her friends and upperclassmen before the start of freshman year. Melinda, wrapped in the thrill of her first party, drinks three beers and is asked by Andy Evans for a dance. She agreed, flattered that a senior would ask her for such a thing. However, he abuses Melinda’s intoxicated state and aggressively rapes her. Terrified and confused, she quickly calls the cops, though finds herself unable to speak. The other kids realize she’s calling the police, who arrest several of the partiers once they arrive. Abandoned by all her friends, Melinda starts school with the bad reputation of a “tattler”. Anderson uses symbolism...
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...Lost One’s Weeping Turned to a Found One’s Smile “When people don't express themselves, they die one piece at a time.”- Laurie Halse Anderson, Speak. This statement is especially true for Melinda in Speak, because the longer she keeps her past to herself, the more she destroys herself. Her problem roots from her trust issues, and while in good reason, it clearly blocks her progress in moving on. Melinda is a girl of few words, but she does try to communicate through her art, body language or posture, and speech, even if it is rare. One of the first methods Melinda used to express her thoughts and feelings to other people was through her art. This method was considered ‘safe’ for Melinda because she didn’t have to spell anything out to anyone, so anyone could interpret it they way they saw her art. That...
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...struggles to feel accepted in their society, and each member struggles with an emotional journey of growing up. In the Outsiders by S.E Hinton and I quote, "If you can picture a little dark puppy that had been kicked too many times and is lost in a crowd of strangers, you'll have Johnny." (S.E Hinton, 49.) Johnny is the youngest member of the gang, also known as the most vulnerable. After he was abused by his parents and the socs, he began to become afraid of everything and everyone and shut the world out. This connects back to Holden’s isolation and how a traumatic event can affect your daily life. The book Speak as well is another example of isolation. Melinda Sordino is just attending a new school and is at a party and decides to call the cops, people get very upset with her actions at the party and she is left as a lonely outcast. Laurie Halse Anderson writes in Speak, “My room belongs to an alien. It is a postcard of who I was in the fifth grade. It is a demented phase when I thought that roses should cover everything and pink was a great color.” (Laurie Halse Anderson, 9). Melinda is now an outcast retracing her old memory. She recalls the innocence in the color pink and the roses representing promises, hope, and love. Pondering, Melinda remembers how vulnerable she used to be. All of these characters have something in common. Each has had a traumatic event in their lives, while that being abused, death of loved ones, and even raped. The traumatic events in individuals...
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...Wahlberg Grade 10 Period 7 CP 11 March 2013 A Silent Outcast's Dark Secret The novel "Speak" written by Laurie Halse Anderson is a story known to most teens. Laurie Halse Anderson did a great job of interpreting many modern struggles most teens may face today. Not every teen is enjoying their high school experience or may have it as easy as their peers do. Freshman Melinda Sordino did not have her ninth grade year go as planned for her. Her story is told in this book. This is a powerful novel that is great for opening discussions and shining awareness on topics such as violence, sex, language, drinking, drugs and smoking. "Speak" tells the story of 13 year old Melinda Sordino, who has a rough first year of high school. The previous summer, Melinda busted a party by calling the cops. No one understood why she did so, and this one act of hers is what made her an outcast her freshman year. It was made known what she had done that night and people weren't easy on her for this. With her friends not talking to her and the constant judgment of those around her who didn't even know her, this caused Melinda unbelievable stress. Melinda, now a mute and friendless, only found comfort in herself but she could never remain eased for too long because there was something else that happened that night that was causing her nonstop stress. She couldn't find the voice to speak about what had happened to her, and she didn't have anyone she could talk about it to anyway. The characters...
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...Name: Shelly (Yiru) Shi Year: 10th Title: Speak Author: Laurie Halse Anderson The book, “Speak” by Laurie Hales Anderson is about Melinda has a deep secret in her heart which she was raped by a boy named Andy. It is too shameful and secretive for her to talk. I have a friend who was raped by her half brother, but she chose to talk to the Elders eventually. There is an old saying in Chinese that “you should turn on the light in your heart by yourself. Thus nobody can save you except you at the first time”. I feel for her because as for me sometimes when I feel that something’s are hard for other people to understand I tend not to talk about because nobody can understand. For Melinda, sex is one of the most important things in a woman’s life. Nobody wanted to ask her what happened at first time when her best friend Rachel or her mom saw her weird behavior, but also her fear and struggling in her deep heart. She needs somebody to push her, to help her in a gentle way, like Mr. Freeman did. Even though, I didn’t meet any of these things in my life, it doesn’t mean it won’t happen in somewhere else in the whole world. Before I read the book, I thought if someone doesn’t want to talk, it just because they are introverted by nature. I always adopt a nonchalant attitude towards things of no personal interest (which is a Chinese old saying). But I realize that there would be lots of people that we need to focus on. Maybe they are sadness ladies, upset students or even autistic...
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...Big essay: Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris, 2005 In my essay I will focus on the writer’s tone and on the attitude to learning foreign languages that is explored in the text Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris. Me Talk Pretty One Day is an essay about the narrator’s, David, time in Paris where he means to learn French. He feels quite intimidated by the other foreign students who, in his opinion, speak excellent French. The teacher assigned to the French class he is partaking in, is extremely tough and intimidating. While going through the alphabet, she proceeds to ask the students questions that will only serve as a humiliating experience for the chosen party. David spends many hours every day studying and preparing for the upcoming classes. His private life is heavily affected by the teacher’s harsh treatment in class, driving him to not to speak in public or on the phone. It feels like an uphill battle for David, but after some months David realizes while in class that he understands everything the teacher is saying. He counteracts the teacher’s provocation with his own sly remark, indicating his perfect understanding of her choice of wording. The tone is this essay moves throughout the essay from being sarcastic through uncomfortable to depressed until it ends on a more hopeful note. In the start the tone is quite sarcastic when he, after the mentioning of his age as being forty-one, describes his start in Paris as that of the circumstances in which a much younger...
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...Tanya Barrientos is the author of the essay “Se Habla Espanol”. Barrientos, originally borned in Guatemala, was raised in Texas. I really enjoyed this essay. It was very truthful and full of emotions. The main point in this essay I believe is how the world views certain groups and how their views of them are. Stereotyping occurs outside and within the person or group. This essay speaks of a female who was born in Guatemala, who is clearly Latino on the outside down to the color of her skin. She moved with her family to the United States when she was three years old so she is completely Americanized on the inside. She is struggling with her race and the stereotypes that go with it. She should be able to speak Spanish but she is still trying to learn the language up into adulthood. She also criticizes her own heritage with stereotyping; stating in the essay “To me, speaking Spanish translated into being poor.” (Roen, 2010) She enjoys in some parts to defy the stereotypes. This is found in when her and her brother went to start school and the teacher showed negativity with saying “You people. Your children are always behind…” (Roen, 2010) They proved to the teacher that they are very capable of keeping up and also exceeding past the others. You can see the internal race struggle within Barrientos throughout the essay. She thought it a compliment when others told her she didn’t seem “Mexican”. She didn’t want the label of being from Mexico which meant poor, dirty, and lazy...
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...Reflective Essay I have written three essays, each wrapped around a specific topic or controversy that has triggered the thoughts of many. My first essay is written about one of the greatest forgotten controversies of the past; the Disappearance of the Star Tiger. This essay is a reflection of two main controversies that are in opposition to one another. Disappearance of the Star Tiger increased my understandings in how to research, understand, and apply my data. Because of its challenging nature, I encountered many obstacles while writing my essay; this includes writing it in proper APA format. The second one is mainly a reflective essay. Lies: From a Different Perspective speaks about how we perceive lies. I spoke about many other subjects...
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...In all three essays, there is the common issue of the fact that there are different problems in the school’s systems. This is an interesting topic because the common school system is supposed to prepare us for life but there are so many corruptions about what is supposed to be learned that there the students are the ones that are short changed. Such as “Project Classroom Makeover” by Cathy Davidson was about children with disabilities getting over looked just because they are different. Davidson is the Professor of English at Ruth F. DeVarney, Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies at Duke University and Cofounder of Duke’s Humanities, Arts, Science, and Technology (Scenters-Zapico 195). The article “I Just Want to be Average” by Mike Rose also gave a very...
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