She finally Spoke

She Finally Spoke

By Kennedi Bates

Author’s Note: This is a cause and affect formal non-fiction essay of the book Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson. The purpose of this essay is to explain that I understand how to analyze the climax, causes and the effects of a story. I support my thoughts with details from the story and quotes. This will help me reach my goal and I will hopefully improve.

Imagine you are at a crazy, summer high school party. You’re just about to start high school and you need someone to look after you. You see a senior that’s pretty darn cute and he takes you in the woods and before you know it, he’s covering your mouth and doing stuff to you! You try to scream and tell him to get off of you but he won’t. When he’s finally done, you call the cops. Bad decision. Now, every teenager at that party hates you. This is exactly what happened to Melinda in Speak, by Laurie Anderson. Melinda got attacked by senior, Andy Evans, at a party and was scared so she called the cops. That got everyone in trouble at the party and everyone that was there, now despises her more than anything. Even though they don’t know what truly happened.  When school finally starts Melinda is mute and won’t tell anybody what really happened to her on that horrible night. In the novel, Speak even though Melinda speaking up is the climax, the cause, effects and what led up to it is very important.

First off, the climax of the story is when she finally told one other person what happened. The one person she told was her former best friend, Rachel who was at the time dating Andy. Rachel couldn’t believe Melinda would make up that Andy did that just because she was jealous, but Rachel was wrong, it really did happen. Melinda finds out that Rachel confronted Andy about it, but Andy got very angry and tried to hurt Melinda again.

Even though climax of the story is very important, what led up to it and the causes of it need to be known about. There were many causes of the climax. One of the main causes were Melinda was just tired of being ignored and being despised for something that nobody knew the true story of what happened. Another cause was that it was basically eating away at her. Melinda needed to get it off her chest before she did something very drastic to herself or somebody. Melinda couldn’t stand it any longer and finally told! “I should probably tell someone. Just... *anyone*. Get it over with. Blurt it out.” This quote shows how it was killing her inside and how she needed to tell somebody, anybody! Lastly, another cause was that she was losing friends. She lost friends because Melinda was always depressed and never talked. Would you want to talk or be friends with someone like that? I didn’t think so. “Heather: You don't like anything. You're the most depressed person I've ever met. And excuse me for saying this but I think you need professional help. Melinda: So you're blowing me off because I'm a little depressed? Heather: Once you get through this "life sucks" phase, I'm sure lots of people will wanna be your friend. But for right now, I don't think we should have lunch together.” This quote shows how Melinda lost her true, only friend she had in 9^th grade. So, she decided to tell. Maybe her old friends would forgive her and everything could be just the way it was before that party!

Although the causes of the climax are a huge portion of why you need to know about the causes, effects and what led up to the climax, the effects are very substantial!  One tremendous effect of the climax is how all of a sudden no one liked Andy anymore! When Andy found out that Melinda told Rachel about how Andy attacked her, Andy got very, very frustrated. He found Melinda hiding in a closet and started attacking her again! Andy started beating her as much as he could! Another effect of the climax was Melinda gaining friends and becoming quite popular! Melinda finally found friends and was slowly improving her life style over all. Everything was back to normal!

In addition to the causes, effects and the climax, how would it be different if the climax never happened? What if Melinda didn’t tell anyone what had happened? A possibility could be that she would still be depressed for some or rest of her freshman year or worse, her high school life! Another possibility is Melinda doing something very drastic. Melinda could run away from her family, seeing how they don’t care about her at all or possibly start cutting herself more severely. This could ruin her whole life just because a stupid, ignorant senior wanted to have some fun with a brand, new freshman.

In conclusion, what led up, causes and effects of the climax are very valuable information to know. There are many causes and effects of the climax that need to be known. There are also many different possibilities if Melinda never told about what happened. She could run away or possibly hurt herself even more or hurt somebody else. This could cause many problems for Melinda that could destroy her life! What would do if you were in Melinda’s situation? How would you feel?

The Beginning of Her New Life

By Kennedi Bates

Author’s Note: This is a creative writing piece. This piece will show that I know how to analyze a story and how to predict what will happen next in a story. This piece will be in a “play” theme. This is a new scene to the book Speak, about Melinda and her new best friend, Rachelle. This will be graded on the reading rubric on predicting and text analysis.

Characters:

Melinda- main character that got attacked at a high school party

Rachelle-Melinda’s best friend

Andy Evans- The teenage boy that attacked her

David Petrakis- Old lab partner that is secretly in love with her

(1 year later...)

Narrator: Melinda just got out of class and was slowly walking to her locker when she heard the click-clack of Rachelle’s high heels behind her.

Rachel:  Melinda! You have to come over tomorrow. I’m having this huge party at my house!

Narrator: That set off a bomb. “I’m theres’!” and “Count me ins” erupted from the hall.

Melinda: Umm, Rachelle. You know how I feel about parties, ever since IT happened.

Narrator: Melinda tried to keep her voice low, but she could see people staring.

Rachel: Oh come on! That was a year ago. I promise that won’t happen again. He’s not even in this school anymore or somewhere he could find you. We’ll stay side by side the whole time!

Melinda: Umm, okay. I guess I’ll go. Why not?

Rachel: Yay! Call me later!

Narrator: And off she went. Melinda started to feel nausea and ran to the bathroom. She didn’t think she could go to another party. Not after what happened to her. Melinda will never, ever forget about how Andy Evans attacked her at that party. They were both drunk, two helpless little teenagers wanting to have some fun. But Melinda tried to stop him. Ever since then, she didn’t tell anybody about what had happened. Melinda actually didn’t speak for a year but finally she told somebody. Then people started to find out about it and Melinda started to talk again. She and Rachel have been the best of friends ever since she told her what happened. See, they were best friends before the incident but since Melinda called the cops everyone hated her. But now everything was different. They hated Andy Evans, the teenage boy now in jail for attacking a thirteen year old girl, Melinda.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Narrator: Today was Friday, Rachel’s party. Melinda tried to think of excuses why she couldn’t go. Her mom wants her home, she was sick or she’s not the party person, but Melinda knew Rachelle would never let her live it down.  Melinda finally decided that she was going to go to that party and finally have some fun. When Melinda got to school she saw Rachel talking to a handsome guy. Of course. When Rachel saw Melinda her eyes lit up.

Rachelle: Melinda! Hi! You have to come over before the party so we can get ready together!

Melinda: Of course I’ll come before! 

Narrator: Melinda smiled at her best friend and walked to her first class.

   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Narrator: At the end of the day Melinda and Rachelle rode to Rachelle’s house with Rachelle’s mom.

Melinda: So what are we going to wear?

Rachel: I was thinking some casual but not too causal?

Melinda: Hmm. Jeans and a nice shirt?

Rachel: Perfect!

Narrator: The two girls went into the house and got ready. Melinda started remembering all the times she had went here in middle school. How different it felt now! They set up for the party and started blasting music. They said goodbye to Rachel’s mom and dad because they were going out that night. Rachel’s parents were so worry free and probably thought that nothing was going to happen tonight, but who knows? Maybe Melinda will find her true love.

Narrator: All of the sudden the door bell was ringing nonstop!

Rachel (smiles): Party time!

Melinda: Woot!

Narrator: Melinda was finally going to have some fun, after the awful year she had last year. Deep down, Melinda was a bit nervous about what would happen at the party. This was the first party since the incident and she did NOT want to go through that nightmare again!  As people started to arrive she stayed right beside Rachelle.

Melinda: You won’t leave my side right?

Rachel (smiles and giggles): Of course not silly!

Narrator: In the mix up of the party. Melinda lost Rachel and couldn’t find her anywhere! There were too many people in this house! All of a sudden someone pushed her into a dark room. She thought it was a bedroom but couldn’t tell. Then out of nowhere she heard hard breathing. Someone else was in there with her.

Melinda: Who’s there?

Andy: Hello Melinda.

Narrator: Melinda’s heart stopped. No, this was not happening. Andy was supposed to be in jail!

Melinda (gulping): Andy?

Andy: Yes Melinda it’s me. The one you through in jail?

Melinda: You...you’re supposed to be in jail

Andy: Ha. They don’t know I escaped. As soon as I’m done with you, they’ll probably finally figure it out. But it’ll be too late for you Melinda.

Melinda: Andy. It was your fault! You were the one that attacked me at that           party and practically killed me in that closet!

Andy: I already told you. I didn’t attack anybody!

Narrator: Andy was getting very, very mad.

Andy: It’s time for me to finish you, Melinda. Forever.

Narrator: Andy took out a butter knife from the kitchen. Melinda’s face lost all of its color and looked like a ghost. Andy kicked Melinda on the ground, causing her to lose her breath.

Melinda (crying): Andy don’t! Please!

Narrator: Just then the bathroom door slammed open, revealing David, her old lab partner. Melinda hadn’t paid attention to him in over a year!

David: Don’t you dare touch her.

Andy: Oh you little nerd! You think you can save her? I would like to see you try, geek.

Narrator: Andy was practically suffocating Melinda. David charged at Andy, throwing him to the ground. They punched, kicked and fought like there was no tomorrow! Melinda tried to breathe again and unsuccessfully tried to stop the fight but Andy succeeded to kick her again to the ground. Andy heard sirens getting closer.

Andy: Oh, shoot!

Narrator: Andy ran through the window, shattering glass falling everywhere. The last words that Melinda heard before she blacked out were…PUT YOUR HANDS UP! YOU’RE UNDER ARREST, AGAIN. David picked up Melinda and carried her to the living room of the house. Cops started pouring in the house, telling everyone to leave. The medics took Melinda to the hospital to make sure she was okay.

Narrator: The next day, Melinda woke up to David, her parents and Rachel all sleeping on the couches in the hospital room she was in. David awoke and sat down on the bed.

David: You okay?

Melinda: I’m fine. Thank you David. But can I ask you a question?

David: Anything.

Melinda: Why did you risk your life for me? Andy could’ve killed you...

David: Melinda, I would never let anything happen to you.

Melinda: Why?

David: I’ve been in love with you since we became lab partners in 9^th grade.

Melinda (shocked): Re...Really? Why didn’t you tell me?

David: Well you were kind of depressed at first and after everything happened you seemed too popular for me... (Looks down)

Melinda: Oh David... I’m so sorry.

David: That’s okay. All that matters is that you’re okay now.

Narrator: Melinda smiles and kisses him on the cheek.  The next few years David and Melinda develop an amazing friendship with each other. Rachel, Melinda and David are all now going to college together, being best friends the whole way through. Nothing could ever split them apart.

The Non-Speaker

Author’s Note: This a short essay about an important quote in the book, Speak. I explain why I think this quote is very important in the story and express my ideas through examples from the book.

“I wonder how long it would take for anyone to notice if I just stopped talking.” Melinda thought, in the book “Speak”, by Laurie Anderson. And that’s exactly what she did. Melinda is a freshman at Merrywheather High School but one problem, the whole entire school hates her. She was the one who called the cops at that crazy high school party, that’s how everyone knew her. Not the sweet, innocent girl she used to be but now the trouble maker, depressed thing that sometimes shows up for school. Now, she doesn’t say a word, unless she has to. What happened to Melinda?

This quote shows a turning point in Melinda’s life. When she thought this, this was exactly what she intended to do and she did. This basically put her life to a stop and ruined her life for good. The quote shows how it turned her world upside down after the incident and how she thought she could improve the problem. This only made everything worse! This quote also shows how Melinda turned into a completely different character! She started to become a discouraged, teenager and started cutting herself to make her feel better.

Overall, this quote is very important to the story. Without it, no one would know why she stopped talking or when she started to become a different person. This story relates to average high school life. There are many people who do a lot of things Melinda does and they need help! How would you feel if you never talked and started to do horrible things? Could you live through it?

Speak or Be Heard

Author’s Note: This is a conflict piece. I explain the conflict and give my possible resolutions. I support my idea with examples from the story. This will be graded on the reading rubric.

In the book, Speak, Melinda is a brand new, freshman in high school, every girl’s nightmare. But something’s different from Melinda’s life than all the other girls. Something happened at a high school party that drastically changed her entire life! This caused a huge conflict in her life causing the sweet, social butterfly Melinda change into a cutting, depressing girl no one ever thought she would be.This conflict is a person vs. society because it's her against everyone else!

One possible resolution to this enormous conflict is having Melinda talk about what happened. If she talked about it, maybe people would understand why she called the cops and start talking to her again! Another possible resolution to the conflict is to try to get Melinda’s life under control by helping her get good grades again and to try to talk to her old friends again. Lastly, a possible resolution could be to transfer schools or states to start a whole, new brand life. Melinda could start fresh and not worry about people finding out about what happened.

In conclusion, even though there was a very problematic conflict that happened in Melinda’s life, there are many resolutions that could solve this. Melinda could get her life under control, explain what happened or transfer schools to solve this problem. So what will she do? Will the conflict ever be resolved?

The War that Changed Everything

Author’s Note: This is a comparative essay. This writing piece shows that know how to compare and contrast two different stories. I am comparing the movie the Patriot and the book, Sarah Bishop. I explain the similarities and differences between the two. I support my ideas with events from the story. This piece will help me reach of my language arts goals which is having a clear thesis statement and transitions for all paragraphs.

Imagine that you are in a cave all alone, with nothing but a snow, white bat to keep you company. What about if you were fighting in the revolutionary war, knowing you could die any second of the day? How would you feel in these situations? Frightened or brave? The book, Sarah Bishop, has many similarities with the movie, The Patriot, though they do have many differences.

           

            One of the big similarities between the two stories is that they are fighting for their lives. Sarah is trying to survive by killing wild animals and living in a cave with nothing but a blanket to keep her warm in the winter. On the other hand, Benjamin and his son, Gabriel, are fighting for their lives in the actual war. This causes many problems for both of them but fortunately Benjamin and Sarah live through it.

            Even though fighting for their lives is a huge similarity, trying to survive with a broken family is also an enormous similarity between the two stories. In the beginning of the story, Sarah lost her brother and father in the war. So she made her decision that she had to run away from the war and hide until it was done. Sarah basically had to take care of herself when she was only fifteen years old! However, Benjamin lost his wife and had to take care of seven kids by himself. So when he went to go fight for the war, after his second oldest son was shot by a British soldier, all the younger children stayed with his wife’s sister. Gabriel, the oldest son, went with his father to fight for what he thought was right, but sadly died in the war. Benjamin then had to survive without his two older sons, but still kept fighting!

            Although similarities between the two stories are valuable, the stories do show many differences. One of the main differences is that Sarah is running away from the war, and Benjamin is in the middle of it! British soldiers were chasing Sarah, proclaiming that she started a fire, and since of course, she didn’t, Sarah had to hide where nobody could find her. Sarah despised the war and didn’t understand why there even had to be a war, but after the war ended she finally understood. Alternatively, Benjamin was planning and setting up attacks where the patriots could kill as many British soldiers as they could. He took part in many battles and in the last main battle, Yorktown, the British finally surrendered. Benjamin was a big part of the patriots winning the war and that was because even when there was a bump in the road, he still kept going.

            As you can see, the two amazing stories have many similarities but do have extreme differences. Sarah is running away and living in a cave by herself, and Benjamin is fighting and killing red coats for their independence. Both of these main characters survive many adventures, some bad, and some good but overall they are both ecstatic that they are finally free from Britain. How would you feel if you were controlled by a country that was almost 3,000 miles away from you? Would you want to be free and fight for what’s right or take the “safe side” and fight for the British? What would you do?