Response+Questions

__Final Response Friday June 5, 2009: __ You must put your name and date in the subject of your posting.

On the final exam, half of your score depends on a quality five paragraph essay. Though I will not ask you to write the following response of that length, you must write at least a solid 1-2 paragraph response to get full credit. Grammar and spelling will count, close textual analysis must also be included. Use TAGGG as a guideline for your response, but a sparse 4 sentence response will not be counted. Choose one of the following to respond to:

1. Based on the evidence, do you think the jury made fair decisions regarding the charges against Steve and King?

2. Do you think Steve did the right thing by not telling the complete truth in court? Why or why not?

3. Discuss at least three important themes in //Monster.//

4. At the end of the story, is Steve's inner conflict of the need to believe in himself and have the approval of others resolved? Give clear evidence to support your claim. (Use quotes).

__Question for Thursday June 4, 2009:__

Choose one of the following questions from pages 200-238 to respond to. Don't forget to read another student's posting, and respond to it.

1. What does Steve mean when he says, "We lie to ourselves here. Maybe we are here because we lie to ourselves."?

2. What advice would Steve like to give to his younger brother Jerry? Why do you think this is what Steve would like to tell him?

3. Was Steve's testimony honest? Explain your answer.

__Question for Wednesday June 3, 2009:__

Choose one of the following questions from pages 137-200 to respond to.

1. Based on the journal entries, and court testimony do you think Steve is innocent? (Support your answer). Do you think his claim of innocence is the same as Ernie's?

2. Identify three different types of conflict in the novel, and give examples of each one. Which conflict do you consider to be the most important, and why?

__Question for Tuesday June 2, 2009:__

Choose one of the following questions from pages 89-136 to respond to.

1. What are both Asa Briggs and Kathy O'Brien hoping to accomplish in their cross-examination of Osvaldo Cruz? Do you think they succeeded? Why or why not?

2. What new facts are revealed about Steve's journal and movie that support the accusation that he was involved in the robbery?

3. What references in this section of the novel indicate that Steve is being viewed more and more like a monster?

__Question for Monday, June 1, 2009:__

Please put your name in the subject.

From pages 1-88

1. As Steve writes his first journal entry on pages 1 to 5, he senses that his life is not real. Use specific events from the journal to explain why he feels this way. Why do you think he feels this way?

2. Based on the evidence provided thus far in the court testimonies, journal entries, and flashbacks argue whether you feel Steve is innocent or guilty. Provide specific details to support your claim.