Speak Journal Questions

First Marking Period

Speak Pgs. 3-18 Questions What “clans” are represented in Merryweather High School? How does Melinda describer her art assignment, and what are her feelings about it?

Speak Pg. 18-33 Is Heather a stereotypical teenager? How is Heather similar and different from Melinda? What are the two realities of the cheerleaders according to Melinda?

Speak Pg. 33-46 What names has the school football team had throughout the first marking period? Discuss the Marthas, are they typical of a clique?

Second marking period

Speak Pg. 49-64 Why does the football team get stripped of the name “Tigers”? How does David Petrakis stand up to Mr. Neck? Why does he stand up to him?

Speak Pg. 64-79 Why does Melinda cry on Christmas Day? What makes Melinda think of IT while she is working for her father stuffing calendars into envelopes? What does this imply about IT?

Speak Pg. 79-92 What happens when Melinda beings the dissection process, and what clue suggests that this is related to he painful memory regarding IT? How does Melinda react when IT creeps up on her in the hallway?

Third Marking period

Speak Pg. 95-110 Why does Melinda say she wants to be in the fifth grade? Why does Melinda think Mr. Freeman is the sanest person she knows?

Speak Pg. 110-125 Why do Melinda’s parents attend a meeting with her guidance counselor and the principal, and what do they decide? Melinda says, “I will make myself normal. Forget the rest of it”(p.125). Do you believe her?

Speak Pg. 125-137 Why does Melinda turn down David’s invitation to a party at his house? After reading the sexual assault scene, why do you think Melinda reacted in the manner that she did?

Fourth marking period

Speak Pg. 141-156 According to Melinda, what are some of the signs of spring? What does Melinda do when she first learns that Rachel is dating Andy Evans?

Speak Pg. 156-171 Why does David Petrakis say that Melinda’s protest against Mr. Neck was lame? What is the significance of Melinda asking her father to buy her flower seeds?

Speak Pg. 171-186 How does Melinda respond to Heather’s request and her offer to redecorate her room? How does Rachel react when Melinda identifies Andy as her rapist? Why do you think she acts this way?

Speak Pg. 186-198 Do you think Rachel standing up to Andy at the prom was realistic? Think about relationships between people in your own life. What saves Melinda from Andy’s attack? How has Melinda changed throughout the course of the novel?