Ms.

Newman’s 8th Grade Language Arts

Name: Date:

Social Issues Discussion Questions

In groups of 2-3 respond to the following discussion questions. Each of these questions asks you to
consider the several different social issues and topics that arise during our reading of Speak. Please use
textual evidence from Speak to support your answers.
Depression & Anxiety
Link to “What Causes Anxiety and Depression—Inside Out” YouTube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNsTy-j_sQs
1. Melinda gives off many alarming cues that she has depression and anxiety. What are these cues?
Why is important to recognize these warning signs in young adults?

2. How are Melinda and Riley’s situations similar? Based on the clip that we watched, how can we
compare their habit to bottle up their emotions?

3. In the clip, the narrator admits that “sadness is unavoidable.” What suggestions would you give to
Melinda to help her better express her emotions?

Bullying & Isolation

YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxqGin4Pm-8 “In a Heartbeat—a short film about
bullying”
4. What similarities do you notice in attitude and behavior between the young girl in the video and
Melinda?
Ms. Newman’s 8th Grade Language Arts

5. Do you think Melinda isolated herself, or do you feel that it was her peers that isolated her? Why?
What kind of effect does isolation and bullying have on a person?

6. What characters would you consider a “bully” in Speak? Why do you believe this? Pull specific
examples from the novel to support your answer.

Friendship
YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4ld-p0jSvI “Friendship Scenes from Movies”

7. What causes Melinda’s middle school “friends” to stop talking to her? How do her old friends
now treat her because of this?

8. In the clip, you were shown several different examples of good friendships. How would you
describe the qualities of a good friendship? How would you describe the qualities of a bad
friendship? Identify examples of good and bad friendships in Speak.
Ms. Newman’s 8th Grade Language Arts

9. How would you characterize Melinda and Mr. Freeman’s relationship?

Violence

10. Can you find examples of physical violence in Speak? Can you find examples of verbal violence?
How are these two types of violence different, and how are they the same?

11. How do verbal and physical violence lead to depression and isolation? Do you think that
Melinda’s peers are the reason she became depressed? Why or why not?

12. How can we teach others about the negative effects of violence? Do you believe that every
student should have a safe space to retreat to if they are victims of violence? Do you have
someone in your life you can reach out to for help if needed?