MonsterWritingAssignment:
Stop reading at page 238where it says “O’BRIEN, Harmon rests”. At this point ask the students to think about all of the witnesses’ testimony and the evidence that they heard during the trial.
Consider the evidence and testimony and write a “closing argument” for Sandra Petrocelli, the Prosecutor or Kathy O’Brien, the Defense Attorney for Steve Harmon.–
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Describe what is meant by a “closing argument.” Students can use any notes that have taken during the reading but NOT the book for the writing assignment.
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Choose either the Prosecutor or the Defenseand write a closing argument. There should be a balance of the two in the class, so the teacher may request a particular point of view.
Step 1: Summarize your majorarguments by highlighting what each witness helped you prove.
Step 2: Summarize the Law and how it helps you prove your side.
Step 3: Repeathow the Jury will be serving Justice by siding with you.
Example:
•Introduction(Exordium)- establish your argument, and clarify the importance of the issue.
•Statement of the Case(Narratio) - tell story behind the argument, offering background information
•Proposition Statement(Propositio) - carefully state central proposition, as a thesis statementwould be given
•Refutation(Refutatio) - refute opposition arguments, exposing faulty reasoning
•Confirmation(Confirmatio) - develop your case, using examples, facts, statistics(logos)
•Digression(Digressio) - appealing anecdote or description, offering ethos or pathos
•Conclusion(Peroration) - finish with strong conviction; review main points, or suggest call to action
Before continuing the reading, have the student vote on the guilt or innocence of Steve Harmon and James King. The class can act as a jury and discuss the case before voting. The voting should be done by secret ballot. Make a chart or graph of the results of the ballots on each defendant. Compare the class decisions to the jury decisions in the book.
Thursday, July 9 and Friday, July 10 (89-136)
Setting:
Describe the visitation room.
How does Steve’s environment lead to his incarceration? What is the author saying about living environments?
How do the photos influence the story?
Characterization:
Why is Lorelle Henry considered a star witness?
Inference:On pg 53, Steve says he does not feel he is involved in his own trial. Why?
Inference: What is the hardest part for Steve as he watches his father cry?
Main Idea and Theme:
How does the author develop the theme of Victimization?
What does O’Brien mean when she says, “You’re young, you’re Black, and you’re on trial?” Doyou agree with this?
How does the author develop the theme of separation?
Conflict:
Internal Conflict: Steve’s mother believes he is innocent. Why does Steve think he is foolinghimself into thinking he is innocent?
Symbolism:
What does the basketball in the gutter on pg 119 mean?
Tuesday, July 14 and Tuesday, July 17 (201-281)
Setting:
How does the setting impact the story?
Characterization:
How is Steve different from Bobo and James King?
How has Steve changed because of the trial?
Inference:Why does O’Brien turn away at the end of the novel (276, 281)?
On page 207, O’Brien is not friendly to Steve when the trial is over even thoughhe is found innocent. Why not?
Main Idea and Theme:
What is the main idea of the prosecuter’s closing statement? The defense attorney’s closing statement?
If you had been on the jury…how would you have voted?
Discuss the role of race in the text. For example, does it matter what the race of the judge, attorneys, and defendants is? What about Mr. Nesbitt's race? How would the story change if Steve were European American?
What about issues of class? Would the story be different if Steve's parents were wealthy?
Conflict:
What does this coming to knowledge cost Steve?
Explain the conflict between Steve and his father.
Symbolism:
Why the novel is titledMonster? What does the monster symbolize?
Saturday, July 11 through Tuesday, July 13 (137-200)
Setting:
How does the author show thetoneof the courtroom?
How does the courtroom contrast with the jail?
Characterization:
How has Steve’s life changed because of his experience in prison and the trial?
Main Idea and Theme:
What does Steve learn about making poor choices?
Steve says that the trial isn’t about race.Do you agree or disagree?Doesn’t race always play a role in our society?
Reread what Steve wrote in his diary on page 91. His testimony on page 165seems to be a lie. Why does Steve lie in court?
Conflict:
How have previous conflicts affected Steve Harmon’s life?
Symbolism:
What does the Bible symbolize to Steve?