Speak Essay Assignment
Over the course of this week, we will be working on writing a 5 paragraph essay. You will choose a topic, complete a graphic organizer to develop your three points, tying one quote from the novel to each of your 3 points, learn how to incorporate and cite direct quotes, draft your intro paragraphs, participate in a peer editing workshop or your introduction paragraph and graphic organizer, and complete the rest of your 5 paragraph essay in class in a timed setting.
The following is a list of your choice for your Speak essay:
Choice 1: How does the cover art of the novel display one of the themes of “the process of change”? Dissect the cover to represent Melinda and how she changes throughout the novel. You can choose to connect to the cycle of life and seasons for this one, if you choose. You will choose 3 main reasons which will become your body paragraphs. If you choose to connect Melinda to the seasonal changes of a tree, you would focus on fall, winter, and spring/summer (these 2 will go together).
Choice 2: Explain the phases her tree art went through, over the course of her freshman year, and how do they represent her. Connect each phase to her own changes and transformation. Be specific. This would focus on her art project instead of the seasonal changes or cycle of life stated in choice 1. You would pick 3 distinct phases and discuss them while showing how they connect to Melinda. For example, you could discuss her confused phase, her dead, and her healing stage or you could pick specific pieces such as trees struck by lightening, the turkey bone sculpture, and her final project with the imperfect tree and birds.
Choice 3: Which character helps Melinda find her “voice” the most? Explain. In other words, which character helps her find her inner strength to help her change and evolve into the person she becomes? Choose one person and provide three main points or reasons that will turn into your body paragraphs. You could choose to take a positive outlook and choose Ivy or Mr. Freeman. However, you could choose Andy, Heather, or Rachel and prove how their own negative treatment of Melinda actually helped Melinda free herself from the chains of her secret. Use the novel to support your response.
Choice 4: One major theme of Speak is alienation. Provide an in-depth explanation of
what alienation means and how it connects to Melinda. You will choose three examples
how she was alienated either by herself or by others and how this affected her (the
outcome)..
Choice 5: Family relationships are a very important part of a person’s emotional, social,
and physical growth. Explain how family relationships can help or hurt a person’s
development. In connection, provide 3 examples/reasons how Melinda’s lack of family connection played
a role in how she handled “her secret,” what she went through her freshman year, or other connection you
choose to make. Make sure you discuss how her disconnected family affected her emotion...
