Scribd
Upload
231 views

Serial Questions

Uploaded by

kpomykal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
231 views

Serial Questions

Uploaded by

kpomykal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

Serial Questions

Episode 1: The Alibi

1. The episode opens with a recording and music. Describe the


recording and the music. Each episode opens with this recording and
music. What kind of tone do they set for the podcast? In addition to
creating atmosphere, what purpose does the music serve?

2. Describe the narrator's style of talking. Is she very formal or


informal? Provide an example to support your answer. How does her
tone affect the way you respond to the content?

3. The narrator, Sarah Koenig, is not the only person you hear speak
in the podcast. When does she include other voices and why do you
think she might do this? What effect does it have on the narrative and
listener's responses to hear more than one voice?

4. At the center of this podcast is the question of Adnan Syed's guilt.


Does Sarah Koenig reveal any bias for or against Syed in this
episode? How can you tell?

5. Based on this episode alone, if you had to rule on Syed’s guilt or


innocence, what would your conclusion be? On what would you base
this conclusion?
Episode 2: The Breakup

1. What is the narrator (Sarah Koenig) trying to figure out in this


episode?
2. Adnan and his friends were part of what kind of program at
school, why are they a close-knit group?
3. How does Koenig plan on understanding Hae's version of Adnan
and Hae's relationship?
4. Do you think it was ok for Adnan’s parents to act the way they
did? Why/why not?
5. What reasons for murder can be heard in this episode? Why are
they valid reasons?
6. Do you think Adnan was upset over the breakup or if his
reputation as a player is true, that the relationship wasn’t a big
deal to him? Can you just let go of feelings for someone you’ve
been together with for 8 months.
7. Is Adnan guilty? Why? Why not? How sure are you? (Give a
percentage!)

Episode 3: Leakin Park

1. Write at least three details that Sarah gives us about


Leakin Park. Be specific and give details!
2. Considering that the narrator could have mentioned other
details about this setting (like the nature center, chapel,
and herb garden that are in the park), why did she choose
the details you noted above? What impact do they have
on you as a listener?
3. What is the name given to the creek that flows near
where Hae’s body was discovered? Why is that ironic?
4. Discuss the person who discovered Hae’s body. What is
his job? What was he doing that day (be thorough and
specific)? What are your thoughts and opinions about
him?
5. How does this episode affect your judgment regarding
Adnan’s guilt/innocence?
Episode 4: Inconsistencies
1) Why did Adnan (seemingly/plausibly) ask Hae for a ride after
school? Where did he need to go before track practice?

2) Why do you think Jay says his narrative was motivated by


avoiding the cops, keeping away from his own crimes, and not
wanting to be associated, but in his first story he starts with
witnessing a lot of the details, confesses that he sells drugs
(even talks up his bad reputation), and then admits later to
helping bury Hae?

3) Who or what do you think baited/distracted Hae away from


picking up her cousin after school?

Episode 5: Route Talk


1) The Police interview Adnan’s friend Ju’uan who says they
sometimes went to Best Buy to smoke because “Nobody’s
going to be over there.” This happens after Hae’s murder. Why is
this significant?
2) Why is the 6:24 pm call significant?
3) Why does this look bad for Adnan episode 5?
4) After this episode, what are your thoughts and opinions on
Adnan’s guilt/innocence?

Episode 6: The Case Against Adnan Syed


1) What information from episode 6 makes Adnan seem guilty?
2) What is the biggest piece of physical evidence against Adnan
and where was it found? Why was this so significant?
3) How does the defense argue against this evidence?
4) How many times did Adnan call Hae the night before she
disappeared? What about the night she went missing? What do
you think the significance of this is? Explain.

Episode 7: (SKIP)

Episode 8: The Deal with Jay


Episode 9: To Be Suspected

Episode 10: The Best Defense is a Good Defense

Episode 11: Rumors

Episode 12: What We Know

You might also like