Minds on.

My style as a human being is to indulge people who need to escape, yet I insist on confronting them as a playwright. It's quite embarrassing, it's quite unpleasant, it's quite awkward.

Wallace Shawn

This is the did you know icon. Did You Know?

No doubt you’ve felt like you are playing several roles at once (the student, the friend, the sibling, the worker, the writer)...nor is this unusual.

What is unusual, however, is the record for the most characters played in a one-actor show. According to the Guinness World Records, “Laxman Deshpande (India) plays all 53 parts in his one man play, Varhad Nighalay Londonla. The three hour play, which he first performed in 1979, is a comedy about a marriage party from India going to London for the wedding of one of their sons!”

But then, who knows? Perhaps one of your plays will outperform Deshpande’s singular ensemble...

I’m Only Going To Say This Thrice...

This is an image of a single red flower in a field of yellow grass.

There can be beauty in isolation.

A monologue is a speech delivered by a single actor (in fact, the word originated in Greek theatre and translates to ‘one speech’). While it’s possible for other characters to be present and occasionally involved, a monologue provides an opportunity for the audience to hear and/or see a single character’s point-of-view and development.

This is the dropbox icon. One Monologue, Three Presentations

Not surprisingly, poems can be monologues, as well. A famous dramatic monologue well worth experiencing is Robert Browning’s “My Last Duchess.” While on the surface the monologue is a Duke speaking to a Count’s servant about his former wife, beneath the surface lies a dark, disturbing portrayal of elitism, jealousy and cruelty. Both warning and threat combine as the Duke (depending on your perspective) knowingly, flippantly, or accidentally reveals the truth...

As preparation for the move from script to stage or screen, take a moment to read, listen, and then watch “My Last Duchess.” Afterward, use your Writer’s Notebook to explore how the different renditions altered your perception of the dramatic monologue, the character, and the themes presented therein. Reflect on how these different versions and your perceptions of them could influence your own writing. 

Read:

Listen:

Watch:

Action.

This is the discussion icon. Understanding Monologues

Take a moment to research what makes a monologue effective. 

Resources

  1. Monologue Writing 101: 10 Elements of Great Audition Monologues is Gabriel Davis’ excellent article on how to develop a monologue.
  2. Creative and Practical Writing Tips: How to Write a Dramatic Monologue is a short video that explains how to write a monologue.
  3. How to Create a Monologue (Easy and Simple) provides a clear list of important elements to consider when writing a monologue.
  4. World of interiors examines the challenges and rewards that come from effective monologue writing.

From Script to Screen

Many movies and television shows feature characters delivering monologues. While not all monologues are created equal, those that combine powerful writing with poignant performances are often one of the first scenes remembered, noted, or recommended.

This is an image of a trophy with a golden male figure on top of the round base.

And the award goes to...

This is the discussion icon. Magnificent Movie Monologues

In preparation for the monologue you will write, take a moment to find a television or movie monologue that you found particularly moving. Make sure that you do the following:

  • focus your critique on the writing, and not just the performance;
  • provide, if possible, access (whether copied or a link) to the monologue, itself (with proper MLA citations).

To assist you with your search, feel free to use the resource below.

Resources

  1. 20 Best Monologues In Movie History provides context for twenty iconic movie monologues.

Adapted Audiences

Given that the text comes from just one character, it’s essential that you consider a monologue’s perspective, both internally in terms of the character and externally in terms of the intended audience. Writers new and old know that reviewing another author’s work can be an excellent way to develop your own craft.

This is the dropbox icon. Adapted Audiences

To combine both of these strategies, you will select a previously written monologue that interests you and revise it for a different audience. Use the criteria in the Assessing Dramatic Texts checklist and the monologue characteristics you identified earlier to support your examination. Also, below are some resources for you to consult (or you may find your own monologue).

For your monologue you need to include:

  • the original monologue with the intended audience either listed or predicted (if you are predicting the audience, briefly explain your reasoning);
  • the new intended audience and your rationale for the change; and
  • the revised monologue.

Resources

  1. Monologue Index provides categorized monologues based on time period, age, and gender.
  2. Monologues provides categorized monologues based on demographics, length, and topic.
  3. Audition Monologues provides a variety of monologues for teens and adults.
Consolidation

This is the dropbox icon. My Monologue

Now that you’ve had a chance to review existing monologues, it’s time to write your own. To complete this assignment you need to do the following:

  1. Select a topic. This can be either something real or fictional. Feel free to use the  Rolling Randomizer if you would like help in generating ideas.
  2. Choose your character, setting, and audiences. 
  3. Write your draft. Use your topic and choices to write your draft. Make sure it is in proper script format (review the resources provided for examples).
  4. Edit and revise your drafts. Make necessary revisions. You may want to refer to past supports, including success criteria in the assessment tool,  Assessing Editing Skills,  Assessing Revising Skills, or your Writer’s Notebook.

This is the metacognitive icon. Metacognitive Moment

Now that you’ve researched and written a monologue, take a moment to reflect on your experiences of creating it. In your Writer’s Notebook, answer the following questions.

  • Did you find generating ideas for your monologue easy or difficult? Why might that be the case?
  • Explain how your beliefs, values, and experiences are revealed in your writing, and how they influence your perspectives and biases.
  • Identify your strengths and areas for improvement.

This is the enrichment icon. Enrichment

This is an image of a stage with closed curtains and rows of empty red cushioned seats.

Showtime!

Now that you’ve written your own monologue, why not put it into action and record yourself reading it? As you do so, consider how the pronunciation, emphasis, pacing, volume, and tone of voice alter the monologue’s presentation and influence the audience’s reception.

test text.