What Is A Monologue?

14.09.2023 Grady A. Lowry 0 Comments

What is an example of a monologue?

An example of a dramatic monologue is the ”To Be or Not to Be” speech from William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Dramatic monologues feature one character speaking without interruption.

What is the definition of a monologue?

I. What is a Monologue? – A monologue is a speech given by a single character in a story. In drama, it is the vocalization of a character’s thoughts; in literature, the verbalization. It is traditionally a device used in theater—a speech to be given on stage—but nowadays, its use extends to film and television.

What is a good monologue?

What makes a good monologue? A good audition monologue has an emotional arc, demonstrates your range as an actor, and suits the project and character you’re auditioning for—and does it all in 90 seconds or less. ‘ need to go somewhere and have moments,’ says acting coach Clay Banks.

How long is a monologue?

Most monologues should be no longer than a minute and half, or about 20 to 30 lines, unless you’ve been directed otherwise. Less is almost always more. Your goal is to get the casting director and director to call you back, which they will do only if they are interested in seeing more of you.

Who speaks in a monologue?

A monologue is a speech made by one person speaking his or her thoughts aloud or directly addressing a reader, audience or character. It is a common feature in drama, animated cartoons, and film. The word may also be applied to a poem in the form of the thoughts or speech of a single individual.

Is a monologue spoken word?

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia This article is about a performance art. For the 2009 film, see Spoken Word (film), Spoken word poet Erika Renee Land performing at the Newberry Library in Chicago during the Surviving The Long Wars Triennial. Spoken-word poet Omar Musa reading his work at the Jaipur Literature Festival Spoken word refers to an oral poetic performance art that is based mainly on the poem as well as the performer’s aesthetic qualities. It is a 20th-century continuation of an ancient oral artistic tradition that focuses on the aesthetics of recitation and word play, such as the performer’s live intonation and voice inflection.

Is a monologue in first person?

A monologue is: Written in the first person. Spoken by one person to a listener. Used to communicate something important.

What three things must a monologue have?

What is a Monologue? In the strictest terms, a monologue is a piece of theater that features only one character speaking. The character might be alone and talking to himself or directly to the audience, or the character might be speaking to another character or characters.

No matter who this character is speaking to, behind each great monologue there is an actor who helps bring the character’s voice to life. Activities for Aspiring Monologue Writers: For writers, inspiration can come from so many places. It can come from within, as a writer reflects on her own story or a passion she holds dear.

A writer might also turn her eyes outward for inspiration, to see what inspiration there is in the world around her. Or, a writer might challenge her imagination to be limitless, crafting a location that doesn’t exist or giving voice to an object or entity that normally doesn’t have one.

Rich Descriptions Things That. Mining the Heart

< > Want to write a monologue, but not sure where to start? No matter where you are, the area around you is perfect inspiration for creating a monologue. All you will need is your five senses, something to write with, and a piece of paper for this exercise to lead you to building dynamic characters with rich monologues. Here’s a great way to begin thinking about a monologue with a message! Our personal experiences in our lives and the world around us can be used as inspiration when crafting a monologue. Follow this exercise to activate those moments and to bring a new life to your stories. Following your heart can lead you to some interesting situations, especially if you’re a character! Do you have a character in mind that you’d like to flesh out? What better way to do it than to figure out the real, emotional, and heart-filled things in your characters life? In this exercise you will be doodling and brainstorming to build the ins and outs of your characters heart. Monologue Writing Student Advice Resident Playwrights Kaya Trefz and Brenden Dahl share their advice for other student writers! HOW ACTORS APPROACH MONOLOGUES Below, professional Actress Anjoli Santiago talks about monologues from an actor’s perspective: What is a monologue from an actor’s point of view? Monologues are a character’s need to take the moment to work through their emotions. Or, it is the reaction to an action. A monologue allows a character to outwardly process a conflict, either to another character, to the audience, or to themselves. Monologues can also reveal information, or they can be used to justify actions and decisions. Sometimes monologues can reveal a moment of truth, or aid the character in further entrenching themselves in a lie. What does a monologue do within a play? In plays, monologues are a moment of respite from the action of the play where the audience gets to see the inner workings of the characters mindset. It’s like opening a door to a secret room full of neglected items. When the door is open and an item is introduced – let’s say shame for example – it alters the energy in the room, or in this case, it can alter the energy in the play. What does a monologue do within a larger play from an actor’s point of view? As an actor a monologue within a play usually denotes the characters most vulnerable moment. I am either pleading, forgiving, inciting, shaming, or a plethora of other tactics which come from the urgent desire to pacify my immediate objective, When a monologue is active, in a sense when the character is actively fighting for something as opposed to recounting the fight that has past, it gives the actor motives to be able to articulate the characters desire. How is a stand-alone monologue different? A stand-alone monologue has potential to carry the audience through a character’s journey in a short amount of time. As a playwright, you have the opportunity to use monologue writing as a vehicle or tool to convey a message. A monologue that is not tied to a play can allude to a greater story, and we as an audience only see three minutes of it, or it can be an all inclusive story, in which we get the characters intentions and see their journey As an actor, what is like to perform a monologue? As an actor performing a monologue is like running a relay, but instead of being on a team, you have the baton; you are running alone. Monologues are miniature plays. All of the basic elements of effective storytelling can be found in a well-crafted monologue. In a play, I can leverage my energy and emotions off my stage partners, but in a monologue there are only three elements: the writing, the audience, and the actor. It took me a long time to build my confidence to stand onstage and experience a journey alone. It is the best exercise for acting. So if any of you are actors, read your and your peer’s monologue out loud, not only will you be helping your writing, but you’ll be getting excellent practice as an actor as well.

You might be interested: What Does This Curved Arrow Road Marking Mean?

What is a famous monologue?

Charlie Chaplin as Hynkel, dictator of Tomania in ‘The Great Dictator’ If it weren’t for its genuine delivery, Charlie Chaplin’s monologue in ‘The Dictator’ is almost over-the-top PSA. ‘Our knowledge has made us cynical, our cleverness hard and unkind. We think too much and feel too little.

How do monologues start?

With a good opening line. In literary terms, this is known as a hook. Consider starting your monologue with a surprising statement or emotion-packed first line. Your first line should get your audience interested in the rest of the monologue by leaving them with questions.

How does a monologue look like?

A monologue is where one character is doing the talking, whether it be dramatic talking, complaining, telling jokes, or evil laughing. Their story can include other characters, but only one is speaking in a long format and the audience sees the scene through the eyes of that character.

What does a good monologue look like?

Download Article Download Article Dramatic monologues can be tricky to write as they must provide character detail and plot without bogging down the play or boring the audience. An effective dramatic monologue should express the thoughts of one character and add emotion or intrigue to the rest of the play.

1 Decide the perspective of the monologue. The monologue should be from the perspective of one character in the play. Focusing on the point of view of one character can help to give the monologue purpose and a distinct character voice.
- You can write a monologue for the main character to give them a chance to speak on their own, or for a minor character to give them a chance to finally express themselves.
2 Determine the purpose of the monologue. Consider what the point of the monologue is, as it should serve a key purpose within the rest of the play. The monologue should reveal something to the audience that cannot be revealed through dialogue or character interaction.
- The monologue should add tension, conflict, or emotion to the rest of the play and give the audience new insight into an existing issue or problem.
- For example, if there’s a character who has been mute during the first act, they could have a monologue in the second act where they reveal why they are mute.
Advertisement
3 Decide who will be addressed in the monologue. You should determine who your speaker will be talking to or addressing in the monologue so you can frame the monologue with the audience in mind. The monologue may be addressed to a specific character in the play, the speaker may be addressing themselves, or they may be addressing the audience.
- A monologue can address a specific character, especially if the speaker wants to express their emotions or feelings to them. The character can also express their thoughts or feelings about an event for the audience’s benefit.
4 Consider the beginning, middle, and end of the monologue. A good monologue will have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Like a mini-story, the monologue should also include a clear shift from the beginning to the end, where the speaker has a revelation or a realization. Your monologue should begin and end with a purpose.
- Create an outline that includes a beginning, middle, and end for the monologue. Note what will occur in each stage of the monologue.
- For example, you may write: “Beginning: Elena the mute speaks. Middle: Elena tells us why and how she became mute. Ending: Elena realizes she prefers staying silent to saying her thoughts out loud.”
- Alternatively, write the first and last lines of the monologue, then create the content between them to generate ideas and thoughts for the monologue.
5 Read other monologues. You can get a better sense of structure for your monologue by reading monologues in other plays. These monologues have been written with the larger play in mind but they can also stand on their own as contained dramatic pieces. Several examples include:
- The Duchess of Berwick’s monologue in Oscar Wilde’s Lady Windermere’s Fan,
- Jean’s monologue in August Strindberg’s Miss Julie,
- Christy’s monologue in John Millington Synge’s The Playboy of the Western World,
- “My Princesa” monologue by Antonia Rodriguez.

1 Start the monologue with a hook. Your monologue should get the listener’s attention right away and draw them in. You want to hook your audience so they are willing to listen to your character’s monologue. The opening line of your monologue will set the tone for the rest of the piece and give the audience a sense of the characters voice’s and language.
- You may start the monologue with a big revelation right away, such as Christy’s monologue in John Millington Synge’s The Playboy of the Western World,
- Christy’s monologue tells the audience right away that the speaker killed his father. It then discusses the events leading up to the murder and how the speaker feels about his actions.
2 Use your character’s voice and language. The monologue should be written from the perspective of one character and should feature their unique language and voice. A strong character voice in a monologue can go a long way to adding color, interest, and perspective to the piece. Use your character’s voice when you write the monologue and include any slang or particular phrasing they might use.
- For example, the “My Princesa” monologue is written from the perspective of a Latino father. He uses terms and sayings that are specific to him, such as “whoop his ass” and “Oh hell naw!” These make the monologue engaging and add character detail.
- Another example is The Duchess of Berwick’s monologue. Wilde uses the character’s casual, conversational tone to reveal the plot and keep the audience engaged.
3 Allow your character to reflect on the past and the present. Many monologues discuss the present action of the play by reflecting back on past events. You should strive to have a balance between reflection on the past and discussion of the present in your monologue.
- For example, in his monologue, Christy addresses his father’s murder by reflecting on past choices and moments that may have lead to his pivotal decision.
4 Add description and detail. Keep in mind your audience will not have the luxury of flipping to a visual image of what is happening in the monologue. All they can rely on is the words you use in the monologue to describe a certain moment or a certain detail. You should try to tie in as many of senses as you can in your monologue so the audience becomes immersed in the events in the monologue.
- For example, Jean’s monologue opens with striking images of his childhood, “I lived in a hovel provided by the state, with seven brothers and sisters and a pig; out on a barren stretch where nothing grew, not even a tree.”
- The details in the monologue help to paint a clear picture of Jean’s childhood hovel. They also add to his character and help the reader get a better sense of his past.
5 Include a moment of discovery. Your monologue should include a moment of discovery or a revelation. This could be a moment of discovery for the speaker or a moment of discovery for the audience. Having a revelation in the monologue will give it purpose. The revelation should also up the stakes of the play so it contributes to the play as a whole.
- For example, in his monologue, Christy reveals that his father was not a very considerate person or a good father. He explains that he did the world a favor by killing his father.
6 Have a button ending. The monologue should have a clear ending or a button ending, where the thoughts expressed in the monologue are brought to a conclusion. The speaker should accept something, overcome an issue or obstacle, or make a decision about a conflict in the play. The decision moment should be clear and the speaker should speak with decisive action by the end of the monologue.
- For example, in his monologue, Jean reveals that he tried to kill himself because he was born too low to be with Miss Julie. He then ends the monologue with a reflection on what he learned about his feelings for Miss Julie.

1 Cut down the monologue to the essentials. An effective monologue will not be too long or expansive. It should include the essentials of the monologue and hit the reader with just enough information to move the play forward. You should read over the monologue and revise it so it does not seem long-winded or overdone.
- Remove any redundant lines or awkward phrases. Cut out any words that do not add to the character’s voice or language. Include only the essential details in the monologue.
2 Read the monologue out loud. A monologue is written to be read out loud to an audience so you should test its effectiveness by reading it out to yourself or to a sympathetic audience. You should listen to ensure the monologue has a distinct character voice and uses language that suits the speaker.
- Note moments where the monologue is confusing or verbose. Simplify these areas so the monologue is easy to follow for the listener.
3 Have an actor perform the monologue for you. If possible, you should try to find an actor who can perform the monologue with you as the audience. You may ask a friend to perform the monologue or hire an actor. Getting a professional to read your monologue can help bring it to life and allow you to revise it for the stage.

Add New Question

Question How can I make my monologue come to life? Ben Whitehair is a Social Media Expert and the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of TSMA Consulting. With over a decade of experience in the social media space, he specializes in leveraging social media for business and building relationships. He also focuses on social media’s impact on the entertainment industry. Acting Coach Expert Answer Really consider who the character is addressing in the monologue so you can get a more believable performance.
Question How should I end a monologue? Aarya Handa Community Answer Here are a few ways to end a monologue: Give your monologue a cohesive rounding. Link back to the beginning. Round up by explaining your points again. Use short sentences for dramatic effect. Include something that will leave the audience thinking. Ask a rhetorical question.
Question How do I write an introduction for a monologue? Use a hook to grab your listener. Something like, “I didn’t know that meeting him would change everything.” If you’re going for more of a comedic monologue, then start with a joke, or maybe something like the example above, but with a humorous twist.

See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement Article Summary X To write a monologue for a play, break your monologue up so there’s a beginning, middle, and end, like you’re telling a mini story.

You should write the monologue from the perspective of one of the characters in the play, and it should have a clear purpose, like adding tension to the play or helping the audience understand something. For example, your monologue could be one of the main characters explaining to the audience how they killed someone.

Try to keep your monologue short and to the point, and avoid using long or redundant sentences. To learn how to polish your monologue when you’re finished writing it, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 310,584 times.

Can a monologue have dialogue?

A monologue is a speech or composition presenting the words or thoughts of a single character (compare with dialogue ). Monologues are also known as dramatic soliloquies. Someone who delivers a monologue is called a monologist or monologuist, Leonard Peters describes a monologue as “a dialogue between two people,

Why are monologues important?

Monologues serve a specific purpose in storytelling— to give the audience more details about a character or about the plot. Used carefully, they are a great way to share the internal thoughts or backstory of a character or to give more specific details about the plot.

What is monologue style?

A monologue is used to show a character’s thoughts and motivations. A monologue is given when a character is speaking to another character, while a former speech or soliloquy is not. Monologues help reveal something about a character. They are similar to stories because they have a distinct beginning, middle, and end.

Is a monologue memorized?

7 Easy Tips to Memorize a Monologue Someone once asked themselves in a monologue, “To be, or not to be?” When it comes to monologues there are things you want to be, and things you do not want to be. Monologue memorization is a process, and the focus should always remain on the performance, not solely on the memorization of the text.

Is it normal to monologue?

Some people may experience an internal dialogue more often while others may not experience one at all. Having an inner voice is not typically a cause for concern unless it is often self-critical. Have you ever “heard” yourself talk in your head? If you have, then you’ve experienced a common phenomenon called an internal monologue.

Also referred to as “internal dialogue,” “the voice inside your head,” or an “inner voice,” your internal monologue is the result of certain brain mechanisms that cause you to “hear” yourself talk in your head without actually speaking and forming sounds.
While an internal monologue is a common occurrence, not everyone experiences it.

There’s a lot that researchers have yet to uncover about why some people frequently “hear” an inner voice, and what it means. Read on to learn what’s been discovered about this psychological phenomenon thus far. The ability to have an internal monologue is thought to develop during childhood in what’s called “private speech.” As children acquire language skills, they learn to engage in internal commentary as they work independently or take turns during an activity.

Childhood inner voices can also come in the form of imaginary friends. In adulthood, this same type of inner speech continues to support working memory along with other types of cognitive processes. It’s thought that internal monologue helps you complete everyday tasks, such as your job. Still, not everyone experiences an inner voice.

You might have inner thoughts, but this doesn’t pose the same type of inner speech where you can “hear” your voice expressing them. It’s also possible to have both an inner voice and inner thoughts, where you experience them at intervals. Researchers don’t fully understand why some people don’t have an inner voice.

One 2019 review of research suggests an association between dorsal pathway maturation and the emergence of inner speech in children.
The dorsal and ventral streams are language tracts in the brain.
They’re also involved in auditory and visual processing.
In childhood, the dorsal stream develops slower than the ventral stream.

The emergence of inner speech is influenced by dorsal stream development. It’s unclear why some people don’t have an internal monologue, but researchers speculate it has to do with the way the dorsal stream matures, among other things. Not “hearing” your inner voice doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have an internal monologue, though, because some people access it visually instead of auditorily.

For example, you might “see” do-to lists in your head but not be able to “hear” yourself think. People with a hearing impairment may experience their inner monologue through signs or images. If you find it difficult to picture voluntary images in your head at all, you may have what’s known as a phantasia,

A 2021 study indicates that people with aphantasia may also experience anaduralia, a term that’s now being used to describe the absence of auditory imagery — or the inner voice. Based on survey responses from self-reported aphantasics, a lack of internal monologue may co-occur with aphantasia.

The researchers highlight the need for larger studies to untangle the overlap between the two.
Internal monologue is thought to be partially controlled by corollary discharge, a type of brain signal.
It helps you distinguish between different sensory experiences, such as those created internally or externally.

Corollary discharge helps explain why your own voice sounds one way when you speak out loud and why it may sound different on a recording or to other people. Even if you don’t necessarily hear an inner voice, everyone experiences corollary discharge to some degree.

How long is a 1 minute monologues?

#3: Brevity is the Soul of Wit – Brevity is also the soul of a good monologue. An effective monologue should be around one minute, or 90 seconds max. Length goes hand in hand with entertainment, because you don’t want your audience to become bored. It is far better to fill a 30 second monologue with great acting choices than to dredge on for 3 minutes of mediocre acting.

What is an example of monologue in a novel?

1. Use inner monologue to reveal unspoken thoughts – Often a protagonist-narrator will simply state how they feel in narration. For example: ‘I was apprehensive when I approached the derelict building.’ Or, if you’re using third person limited point of view : ‘Luisa was apprehensive when she approached the building.’ These sentences are fine.

Yet you can also create immediacy by making characters’ actual thoughts intrude on the scene. Here’s an example from David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas, The character Luisa Rey, an investigative journalist, has found out about a dangerous environmental coverup. Her boss is berating her for missing a meeting: Grelsch glares at her.

‘I got a lead, Dom.’ ‘You got a lead.’ I can’t batter you, I can’t fool you, I can only hook your curiosity. ‘I phoned the precinct where Sixsmith’s case was processed.’ David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas (2004). The inner monologue reveals:

The power Grelsch has over Luisa as his employee – it shows Luisa’s awareness of the balance of power in this conversation
Luisa’s knack for spinning stories to get herself out of trouble

Inner monologue here, by revealing Luisa’s unspoken thoughts mid-conversation, adds to her character while also illustrating her relationship with her boss.

Can you talk in a monologue?

Reading Time: < 1 minute Turn monologues into dialogues: Turn one-way communication into two-way conversations. Talk with people rather than at them. A monologue is a speech delivered by one person or a long one-sided conversation. However, a one-sided conversation cannot be considered a real one, In everyday language, dialogue, on the other hand, is a conversation between two or more people where each person takes turns speaking. More specifically, dialogue is a free-flowing group conversation in which participants attempt to reach a common understanding. In this context, I am using the everyday definition of dialogue. There are two aspects to this habit:

We need to dialogue more and monologue less; in other words, talk with people more than at people. We need to design/structure group gatherings such as meetings and presentations so that more dialogue takes place and less monologue.

Workplace Communication Skills: Monologue or Dialogue? | Alex Lyon

Grady A. Lowry