Speak 1. Silence and Truth

1. Silence and Truth: Discuss the title of the novel and its significance. Explain the roles that silence and truth play in the story.

Speak 2. What is Friendship?

2. What is Friendship? Describe the important elements of Melinda’s relationships with Heather, Ivy, Nicole, and Rachel. Is she ever really friends with any of them? Can friendship mean something different to different people? Cite different passages in the novel as evidence of your opinion.

Speak: 3. Different on the Outside?

3. Are we sometimes different people on the outside than we are on the inside? How? Why is this true, do you think? Relate this topic to the characters in Speak.

Speak: 4: Nicknames

4. Nicknames:  Melinda nicknames many of the other characters throughout the novel. Discuss the significance of this habit and how it contributes to the development of the story and your experience as a reader.

Speak: 5: Sanctuary

5. Sanctuary: In what places is Melinda able to find sanctuary at school?
How do the characteristics of these places provide a window into her character?

Speak: 6: Value and Qualities

6. What should we value in other people? What qualities are important in a person? What do you usually notice first about someone? Does that matter or not?

Speak: 7: Humor

7. Humor: Despite her internal sense of humor, Melinda seems depressed to the outside world. In what ways is her depression evident? How do the people around her react to her behavior? Do you think they respond appropriately? How would you respond? How do the characteristics of these places provide a window into her character?

Speak: 8: Art is About Making Mistakes

8. Mr. Freeman also says that "art is about making mistakes and learning from them." What else is like this? Explain.

Speak: 9: Flaws are Interesting

9. Mr. Freeman, again! He tells Melinda that "nothing is perfect. Flaws are interesting." He's literally talking about a drawing of tree, but what do you think he really means?

Speak: 10. Pruning Symbolism

10. Melinda's father explains to her that the arborists are cutting off disease and damage to make it possible for the tree to grow again. How can the pruning of the tree be compared to Melinda's life?