Speak 2 Discussion questions.

1. Discuss Melinda's decline, including physical symptoms.
Melinda's decline was getting worse and worse each day, after what had happened to her at the party and the result it cause that everyone hated her. Her physical symptoms were she was hurting herself and making her bleed she also was cutting her wrists and actually made a suicide attempt. It is not healthy for her.

2.Analyze the social studies "debate" and its aftermath. Note who challenges the teacher and the position each person takes. How do you feel about this type of debate? Is the teacher right or wrong? Do students have a right to challenge a teacher?
The debate was opened by Mr. Neck and he was telling the children his feelings, but whenever someone had told him their feelings he got really mad and took it the wrong way. The person was Dave Patrakis who never talks but stood up and told Mr. Neck his true feelings. It was unusual for him to do such a thing. I think the teacher was wrong and that everyone does have the right to express what they think it right, not just one person. Also, students have a right to challenge teachers because in the world were all equal and we all deserve to have our voices heard.

3.Who is a "real" american? What do you thing of Mr. Necks opinion? Going by his definition, are some of you not really Americans?
I think that everyone is a real american weather they beileve so or not. Everyone has the right to say what they feel or think is right, and NO one is better than anyone. Mr. Necks opinion was wrong in my thoughts but thats just me. He doesnt like to hear what anyone else says but from his self. I think that everyone is a real american and will always be. Good and the Bad.

4. Discuss the Thanksgiving dinner for Melinda's family and why this is significant.
Thanksgiving dinner for Melinda's family was a well strange one. Most familys across the world spend this day giving thanks with eachother for everything they have. It is a day to spend with the family. Her family was different, the dad and Melinda wanted pizza and nothing to do with eachother, but the mother was up all night making a dinner. She forgot to make the turkey so it was really messed up and it ending up having to be chopped up into solid frozen peices. Then the mother left work and the other two ordered pizza, some family get together.

5. Analyze Melinda's statement about her parents, "I bet they'd be divorced by now if I hadn't been born" What does this reflect about her self esteem?
Melinda's statement was not a good thing on her self esteem. It makes her think that she is the only reason her parents are together and she is making them suffer to keep her happy. She is becoming very depressed and nothing that is happening to her is good for her.

6. Examine Melinda's references to her secret and what this revels about her relationship with her parents. What do you think happened at the party?
What happened at the party was something bad, and had caused her whole life to change in just one night at a stupid party. She called the cops because she was raped and everyone now hates her. But, they dont know the real truth and she cant tell anyone not even her own parents because she is scared.

7. Discuss Melinda's athletic ability, her attitude toward being on the basketball team, and the comparison she makes between basketball and life.
Melinda's athletic ability in basketball was amazing, she was so good that the coach even asked her to join the team. To bad her grades weren't good enough. So they made a deal with her if she taught the kids how to shoot like her then she would get an automatic A in gym. The comparison was that this was all like her life.. but a little better.

8.Analyze the deterioration of the relationship betweet Melinda and heather. Why is that people sometimes more when they can get something out of us? Are the Martha's good friends to Heather? Why or why not?
The relationship between Melinda and Heather is not a very close one it is just that melinda was nice to her since she was new and was sitting alone at the table at lunch. People are nicer to you like that because they think that if they get on your good side that they will get what they want eventually. The Martha's are not good friends for Heather, or anyone. They seem fake and act like you have to be something special or better than anyone to be a part of there clique.

9. What should we value in other people? What qualities are inportant in a person? What do you usually notice about people? Doest that really matter?
I think we should value other peoples personality and there character. I dont go upon looks its cruel and not flattering at all. The important qualities in someone is that they are someone who you can be yourself around and not fake. I usually notice their eyes and smile. I can tell if someone has a warm heart sometimes, but i dont judge. I dont think it really matters what your like on the outside but what is on the inside counts.

10. Examine Melinda's reference to IT.
Melinda's reference to IT was that he was very childish, immature and he was trying to be like an adult. She was telling us about how he acted at the doughnut shop when she had skipped school and he was. She doesnt like "it" very much because what had happened at the party that one summer night.

11. Discuss the school conference with Melinda's parents and the aftermath. What do you think about Melinda's suicide attempt? Was it real? What does it indicate? What do you think about her mothers reaction?