Monster by Walter Dean Myers

monster [mon-ster] noun

1. a legendary animal combining features of animal and human form or having the forms of various animals in combination, as a centaur, griffin, or sphinx. 2. any creature so ugly or monstrous as to frighten people. 3. any animal or human grotesquely deviating from the normal shape, behavior, or character. 4. a person who excites horror by wickedness, cruelty, etc. 5. any animal or thing huge in size.

Name: ______

English 8 – Period ______

[1]

Anticipation Guide

Part 1: Read and consider each statement carefully. Then, circle agree or disagree.

1. There are consequences to every decision we make. agree / disagree

2. No matter what happens, you should take responsibility for agree / disagree your actions.

3. The notions of right and wrong are always clearly defined. agree / disagree

4. The friends we choose and people we hang out with are an agree / disagree accurate reflection of us.

5. Peer pressure is always negative. agree / disagree

6. Peer pressure has a greater influence on us than our parents agree / disagree do.

7. Discrimination can occur because of age. agree / disagree

8. Lying to save yourself from being convicted of a crime is the agree / disagree right thing to do.

9. Jail is a place where only guilty people go. agree / disagree

Part 2: For one of the statements above, respond in your journal, explaining why you have the belief you do.

[2]

Film Terminology and Cinematic Effects

close-up (CU) – a shot taken from a close distance in which an object may appear magnified cut to – a sudden change in camera angle, location, placement, or time, from one shot to another fade in – a gradual transition from darkness to normal lighting ; often at the beginning of a scene fade out – a gradual transition from normal lighting to darkness; often at the end of a scene fade to black – a gradual transition from normal lighting to darkness; often at the end of a scene long shot (LS) – a shot taken from a far distance so an object appears relatively small medium shot (MS) – a conventional shot from a medium distance; between a close shot and a long shot pan – a shot where the camera moves or rotates horizontally reaction shot – a quick shot that shows a character or group’s reaction to action voice-over (VO) – dialogue or narration that comes from an off-screen character or narrator; the audience hears the voice over but the characters do not; often conveys characters’ thoughts

[3]

Vocabulary (continued) humanity POS: ______definition in your own words: ______your sentence with context clues: ______character POS: ______definition in your own words: ______your sentence with context clues: ______admissible (page 18) POS: ______definition in your own words: ______your sentence with context clues: ______impede (page 23) POS: ______definition in your own words: ______your sentence with context clues: ______grandiose (page 27) POS: ______definition in your own words: ______your sentence with context clues: ______pertinent (page 55) POS: ______definition in your own words: ______your sentence with context clues: ______

[4]

Vocabulary (continued) proposition (page 85) POS: ______definition in your own words: ______your sentence with context clues: ______civil (page 88) POS: ______definition in your own words: ______your sentence with context clues: ______cacophony (page 117) POS: ______definition in your own words: ______your sentence with context clues: ______dismay (page 121) POS: ______definition in your own words: ______your sentence with context clues: ______montage (page 131) POS: ______definition in your own words: ______your sentence with context clues: ______mosaic (page 151) POS: ______definition in your own words: ______your sentence with context clues: ______

[5]

Vocabulary (continued) diminutive (page 161) POS: ______definition in your own words: ______your sentence with context clues: ______prejudicial (page 173) POS: ______definition in your own words: ______your sentence with context clues: ______condescendingly (page 209) POS: ______definition in your own words: ______your sentence with context clues: ______surly (page 215) POS: ______definition in your own words: ______your sentence with context clues: ______vouch (page 236) POS: ______definition in your own words: ______your sentence with context clues: ______constitute (page 246) POS: ______definition in your own words: ______your sentence with context clues: ______

[6]

Vocabulary (continued) contention (page 255) POS: ______definition in your own words: ______your sentence with context clues: ______pensive (page 276) POS: ______definition in your own words: ______your sentence with context clues: ______

[7]

Monday, July 6th – Tuesday, July 7th

Flashback

In Monster, flashbacks are utilized for various reasons. They show events that occurred before the start of the novel, making it easier to understand Steve’s situation and how he came to be arrested. Flashbacks also give readers insight into the characters’ personalities, which helps to determine the validity of the characters.

Review the following flashbacks and decide how each is relevant to the story. For instance, what does the flashback reveal about the plot or characters?

Passages Inferences Flashback to the film workshop in Stuyvesant High School.

Mr. Sawicki: “I didn’t say it was bad, but wasn’t it predictable? You need to predict without predicting. You know what I mean? When you make a film, you leave an impression on the viewers, who serve as a kind of jury for your film. If you make your film predictable, they’ll make up their minds about it long before it’s over.” (page 19)

Flashback to twelve-year-old Steve in a park with his friend, Tony.

Tony: “I didn’t throw that rock. You threw it.”

Steve: “I didn’t say you threw it. I just said, ‘Run.’ You should’ve run.”

Tony: “I’ll get me an Uzi and blow his brains out.” (page 43)

[8]

Flashback (continued)

Passages Inferences Flashback to King, Steve, Peaches, and Johnny talking on a stoop on 141st Street.

Johnny: “Naw. Bank money is too serious. The man comes down hard for bank money. You need to find a getover where nobody don’t care – you know what I mean. You cop from somebody with a green card or an illegal and they don’t even report it.”

Peaches: “Restaurant owners got money, too. That’s the only things left in our neighborhood – restaurants, liquor stores, and drugstores.”

King: “What you got, youngblood?”

Steve: “I don’t know.”

Johnny: “Yo – what’s your name? Steve. Since when you been down?” (page 51) Flashback to Steve and his younger brother, Jerry, watching television at home.

Jerry: “You ever want to be a superhero? You know, save people and stuff?”

Steve: “Sure. You know who I’d want to be? Superman. I’d be wearing glasses and stuff and people would be messing with me and then I’d kick butt.”

Jerry: “I bet you’d be a cool superhero. You know who you should be?”

Steve: “Who?”

Jerry: “Batman. Then I could be Robin.” (page 58)

[9]

Monday, July 6th – Thursday, July 9th

Characterization

The defense attorneys question the reliability of particular witnesses because circumstances suggest that they may be less than trustworthy.

Pretend that you are serving on the jury, and you are trying to determine which witnesses to believe. Your decisions should be based on the probability of the witnesses’ stories and the impression they make on you.

Complete the chart by providing a brief description of the witness, significant testimony, whether or not the witness is reliable, and why.

Testimony/Relevant Reliable? Reasons for Deciding Whether Witness/Description Information (circle) the Character is Reliable

José Delgado: store Left store around clerk; young; well 4:30; upon return to built; articulate store, finds Mr. Nesbitt dead, cash register open, and yes cigarette cartons missing no

Salvatore Zinzi:

yes

no

[10]

Characterization (continued)

Testimony/Relevant Reliable? Reasons for Deciding Whether Witness/Description Information (circle) the Character is Reliable

Wendell Bolden:

yes

no

Detective Karyl:

yes

no

Osvaldo Cruz:

yes

no

[11]

Thursday, July 9th

Newspaper Article

Imagine that you are a journalist for the Harlem Trumpet, a weekly publication for the local area, and you have been instructed to cover the Nesbitt robbery.

The assignment is to write an article about the robbery-homicide that is between 200 and 220 words. Efficient article size is crucial because space is limited in this week’s issue. Write the article with an objective (unbiased) tone. Cover the basic elements of the story: who, what, where, why, and how? Also, create a brief, fictional statement from a witness, neighborhood resident, or police officer about the incident. Remember to include a catchy title.

GRADING: Title (2) – title is creative and relates to the article Quality of Information (5) – article addresses all basic elements of the incident Accuracy of Information (3) – article contains accurate details from the text Witness Statement (2) – fictional statement is creative Tone (2) – article is written objectively with no bias

TOTAL: _____ / 14

[12]

Sunday, July 12th

Letter Writing

Mrs. Harmon is obviously upset during her visit with Steve. He explains, “Her eyes were smiling but her voice cracked. In a way I think she was mourning me as if I were dead” (pages 157-158). Nothing is known of how Steve’s younger brother, Jerry, is coping with the situation because children are not allowed in the visiting room.

Imagine what Mrs. Harmon and Jerry are experiencing and how they must feel. Choose one of the following assignments to complete.

1. As Mrs. Harmon, write a letter to your son. Describe how his arrest has influenced your life at work and in the neighborhood. Express any fear, regret, disappointment, or hope that you have. The tone of the letter should reflect that of a parent speaking to a child.

2. As Jerry, write a letter to your brother. Describe how his arrest has influenced your social life at school and with other neighborhood children. Express any fear, regret, disappointment, or hope that you have. The tone of the letter should reflect that of a young child speaking to a sibling.

3. As Steve, write a letter to your family. Do not discuss any particulars about the case. Instead, explain how the experience has influenced or changed you. Express any regret that you have for exposing your family to this situation, and relate any fear or hope that you have for your future. The tone of the letter should reflect that of a regretful and confused teenager.

GRADING: Accuracy of Information (4) – letter contains accurate details from the text Role/Point of View (3) – role is consistent throughout Tone (3) – tone is consistent throughout

TOTAL: _____ / 10

[13]

Monday, July 13th

Drawing

The characters that appear in this chapter are essential to the trial. Mrs. Henry is a possible eyewitness, and Richard “Bobo” Evans participated in the robbery.

Pretend that you are the courtroom sketch artist, and capture an image in your mind of a scene from the trial. The image may be anything, such as a character’s face, the jury observing the proceedings, or a lawyer questioning a witness. On a separate sheet of paper, create a sketch of the scene. Give your drawing a title.

Also write a brief reflection about your sketch. Explain your choice of character or scene, as well as the viewpoint used. For instance, why did you select your subject? Is there a reason that the perspective of the drawing is close, distant, or from the jury box or judge’s bench?

GRADING: Title (2) – title relates to drawing Connection to Novel (3) – drawing relates to text Overall Neatness and Effort (2) – drawing is neat and shows effort Written Explanation (3) – reflection explains the choice of scene and viewpoint

TOTAL: _____ / 10

[14]

Tuesday, July 14th

Closing Arguments

The prosecution and defense have both rested their cases. Think about all of the witnesses’ testimony and evidence that was presented at the trial. Your assignment is to write a closing argument for either Sandra Petrocelli, the prosecutor, or Kathy O’Brien, the defense attorney for Steve Harmon.

A closing argument, or summation, is the concluding statement of each party’s counsel retelling the important arguments for the jury in a court case. A closing argument occurs after the presentation of evidence. It may not contain any new information and may only use evidence introduced at trial.

1. Establish your argument. Remind the jury what you promised to show them during your opening statement. (Petrocelli/prosecution: pages 20-25; O’Brien/defense: pages 25-27) 2. Summarize your major arguments by highlighting what each witness helped you prove. 3. Refute opposition arguments – attack the opposing side by challenging their positions, theories, witnesses, etc. 4. Close your argument – making a lasting impression on the jury. End with a strong message about why this case is important and why they should rule in your favor. Consider using emotional appeals. 5. Tell the jury directly what you need them to do.

GRADING: Quality of Information (4) – information is clear and thorough Rebuttal (4) – counterarguments are accurate, relevant, and strong Use of Facts (4) – major points are supported with accurate details from the text Organization (3) – arguments are organized in a logical fashion

TOTAL: _____ / 15

[15]

Kathy O’Brien Sandra Petrocelli She is Steve’s defense attorney who uses his Monster Character Chart She is the Assistant District Attorney who prosecutes character traits before the crime and makes the case against Steve and James King. She labels them “monsters.” sure she distances him from the other defendants as way of getting a not guilty verdict. José Delgado Steve Harmon He worked in the drugstore and found Mr. Nesbitt’s body. He is a sixteen year old young black man He also determined that several cartons of cigarettes had Steve’s parents who has been arrested for acting as the been stolen along with money from the cash register. They are depicted as hard-working people who look-out in robbery that goes bad and ends have tried to raise their sons right. Steve’s in a murder. He is the narrator for the story, Alguinaldo Nesbitt mother continues to believe in him no matter writing it in the form of a screenplay The victim of the crime, he is depicted as a decent, hard- what, but his father looks at him like he interspersed with his journal entries. working citizen who lost his life in defense of his doesn’t really know him. property. However, his character isn’t well presented, James King because the focus of the story is Steve and other young A black man who is also young, but older men on trial. than Steve, he encourages Steve to be a part of his “crew” which will rob the Asa Briggs drugstore. He is accused of being in the Lorelle Henry He is the defense attorney that is drugstore, wrestling Mr. Nesbitt for the gun, She is a grandmother who was in the drugstore at the representing James King and trying to get the and ultimately shooting the older man to time of the murder. She testifies that she saw two men jury to find him not guilty. death. there and picks James King from a handful of pictures and then out of a lineup.

Richard “Bobo’ Evans Dorothy Moore He is the other young man accused of being in the store at the time of the James King’s cousin, she testifies that James murder. He is stealing the money from the register and grabbing the cartons had brought her a new lamp for Christmas at of cigarettes when the gun goes off. He makes a deal with the prosecution to the time of the murder. testify against King and Steve to get a lighter sentence.

Osvaldo Cruz He is another participant in the crime. It was his job to stand outside and trip up George Nipping anyone who tries to catch them after they rob the store. He claims he did it, He testifies that James King is left-handed because he was afraid of Bobo, but he is a member of a street gang and slashed which creates reasonable doubt that King did someone’s face to be accepted into the gang. the crime, since it was more likely that Mr. Nesbitt was shot by a right-handed Sal Zinzi perpetrator. His testimony is weak, however, An inmate in prison who testified he heard another prisoner talking about buying because the perpetrator was wrestling with cigarettes from a guy who held up a drugstore where the owner was killed. Mr. Nesbitt over the gun. Wendell Bolden A prisoner that testified that he bought cigarettes from Bobo Evans. He also testified that Bobo told him a man was killed in the drugstore robbery. [16]