(855) 4-ESSAYS

Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

Speak

            One summer night one of the worst things that could have happened to Melinda did; she was raped and no one knew it but her. It happened at a party at the end summer and everyone at the party thinks she called the cops to break up the party. Little did they know she was raped and didn't know what else to do. So Melinda decides to keep her mouth shut whether she loses all her friends or not. She can't tell anyone; it's too hard and too embarrassing. Melinda's life was changed in an instant and it affected both herself and her life in more ways that one.
             Melinda's relationship with her ex-best friend Rachel completely changed, it became non-existent. Melinda enters the auditorium on her first day of high school, not only without a best friend, but also without any friends. She finds a seat in the middle of all the chaos of friends reuniting with their peers after a long summer. Melinda looks around her and starts to realize what "clicks" are what and who's sitting where. She then turns around to see all of her friends from last year sitting a few rows back with Rachel right in the middle of them all. They stare at each other for a moment and then Rachel silently mouths, "I hate you". She then turns her back and continues laughing with her friends. Melinda is convinced they are laughing at her. She turns back around in her seat and starts to bite her lip. She doesn't stop until it starts to bleed.
             Rachel and Melinda have their first encounter with spoken words to each other in the bathroom. Melinda attempts to befriend Rachel by saying "hi" but all she gets in response is an "mmm". Melinda has entered to insert her contacts and tries to do it coolly but ends up poking herself in the eye. She then proceeds to ask Rachel "how's it going" and still she only gets an "eehn". Her contact then folds in half under her eyelid. "Ouch", she says trying to get something out of Rachel, even a laugh. But Rachel snorts instead and says "pas mal" trying to be cool and sophisticated.


Essays Related to Speak

1. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

... , but it is another to write about it and get it published. One of these authors is Laurie Halse Anderson, who wrote the famous book, Speak. Several people influenced her to write about problems in modern society, specifically high school. This book impacted people throughout the world, since they saw a ... a girl hysterically crying. And now she had the Crying Girl nightmare, which ended up transforming into Melinda Sordino, the main character of her book, Speak. Anderson criticized modern society by pointing out the problems that high schoolers have, as they try to silence their emotio...

  • Word Count: 1040
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

2. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

... situations. Friends give each other support and affection when they need it the most. Friends heal each other, and this is demonstrated in the novel "Speak," by Laurie Halse Anderson. The novel is about the main character, Melinda Sordino, recovering from the subsequent depression and loneliness that stems from a traumatic ... one of Melinda's most prominent supporters, and provides the ideal example of a confident individual who goes on to empower her to take action and finally speak up about what happened. Melinda never enjoyed her Social Studies class with Mr. Neck. Mr. Neck is always...

  • Word Count: 920
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

3. PTSD as Seen in the Movie "Speak"

... experienced their first attempted or completed rape. In this journal, the writer used qualitative study to recognize the psychological symptoms of rape trauma in Melinda, a major character in American Movie Speak. In addition, in the plot, she becomes a survivor that has been sex-assaulted. Keywords: Rape-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD), Sexual Abuse, Trauma, Violence Introduction Trauma is defined ... with them, that they are at fault, unlovable, hateful, helpless, and unworthy of protection and love. In this journal, trauma will be portrayed in the main character of "Speak" ...

  • Word Count: 1061
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

4. Gender Roles in the Novel Speak

... are reading. Gender roles have been prevalent in our communities for centuries now and they are unfortunately still common; in today's society. The novel Speak , by Laurie Halse Anderson paints a vivid image on gender roles; in today's society. Anderson's work is appreciable at using characters to portray ... communicates the power that men hold over women through the characters, themes, symbols and imagery in relation to the Feminist Lens. In the novel Speak characters play a critical role in helping the reader see the gender roles in the book. For instance, when Melinda begins to feel...

  • Word Count: 1774
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

5. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

... others about her rape. As the novel progresses, she slowly starts to deal with the rape and finally accepts it and decides to move on with her life. In Speak, Anderson's use of rhetorical devices like allusions, symbolism, and metaphors and similes helps to create the texts depressed tone that later change to hopeful. Using allusions like Picasso's cubism and ... does not define herself as the rape victim, but others have identified her as the girl who ruined the party. The official mascot was not chosen until after the students speak up and petition, which states how the school has "s...

  • Word Count: 950
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

6. Speak

... right, no matter the consequence. A part of making decisions are the consequences that come along as extra baggage, it's also about not being afraid to speak up for your beliefs, and how experience effects us all. Although everyone is born free of experience, it's the events in our lives that make every ... of all of Melinda's problems is one human being named Andy Evans. He's a senior at Melinda's high school, and Melinda hasn't been able to speak clearly since he raped her at the senior party last August. When she ex best friend starts dating Andy, Melinda couldn't hold it in any long...

  • Word Count: 1020
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

7. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

In the novel Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson introduces the tale of Melinda Sordino launching her freshman year of high school concealing a dreadful secret. Melinda struggles throughout her school year withstanding a flashback and battling her ... motif of mouth is used to develop Melinda's character throughout the novel. It refers to Melinda's lack of communication to others. Many times in the novel, Melinda chose not to speak up for herself and let people mess around with her feelings. On the first day of school, Melinda says, "A guy behind me unwraps his breakfast and shoots the wrapper ... ...

  • Word Count: 548
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

8. Free To Speak

... to say, "I think any American would find it offensive, or in a sense, obscene". The operative word in this sentence is "thinks". Mr. Payne can't speak for everyone, because he doesn't know how everyone feels about this issue. Because Mr. Payne believes that the T-shirt is offensive, he is projecting his own ... in on the subject. Once again, these supporters of censorship are trying to put words into the mouths of Americans. They are trying to speak for all American citizens by saying this is the wrong thing to do and are trying to establish a better country for all. By doing so ... th...

  • Word Count: 1770
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Grade Level: High School

9. Who will speak for the Children

Who will speak for the children in a world ruled by adults? Many professionals, parents, teachers and other experts have tried but even with their efforts children continue to be abused at an alarming ... the story. A story of children battling against their caregivers for survival. Child battling without a voice, without a person to stand in the way of them and their abusers. So who will speak for the children? Somebody must ... ...

  • Word Count: 1920
  • Approx Pages: 8

10. Speak Book Report

Speak The book Speak is a non-fiction story. It is based on a true story and is based on what people like me (teens) go through. I feel that the story emphasizes on both the plot ... my first day of high school, I have seven new notebooks, a skirt I hate, and a stomach ache." Told in first person, are the first lines that Melinda says in the beginning of Speak. Melinda in this story is the protagonist. You may not see her as a hero, but in my opinion she was because she showed great perseverance. Melinda has a deep secret that ... ...

  • Word Count: 1031
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

Got a writing question? Ask our professional writer!
Submit My Question