Dramatic monologue has been used in theatre since ancient Greek times. Actors who know how to wield its power can keep the audience spellbound in the palm of their hand.

But when executed poorly, monologues can translate into instant boredom! In this post, you’ll find some of the best tips for writing a great monologue that will keep your audience engaged. 

What Is a Monologue? 

Let’s start with some definitions. A monologue is a speech given by only one character in a film or a theatre production.

The term comes from the Greek word mono, meaning single or alone, and logos, meaning speak. In contrast, the word “dialogue” refers to at least two people, indicating a conversation instead of one person doing all the talking. 

A monologue in theatre or film can come in several different forms: 

• A speech given to other characters 
• The character talking to himself
• A speech directed at the audience 

When a character talks about their feelings, motivations, and inner thoughts to the audience or to another character, it’s known as a dramatic monologue. 

When a character is having an internal monolgue with themselves, it’s known as a soliloquy. William Shakespeare uses this extensively, the most famous example being the soliloquy “To Be or Not to Be” from his play Hamlet, which starts off with: 

To be, or not to be, that is the question:
Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles
And by opposing end them.

Function of Monologues 

Monologues aren’t simply the character going off on a tangent without the scriptwriter’s permission; they are there for a specific purpose. Here are some of those reasons: 

To provide more details about the storyline or a character

Monologues are designed to reveal important information about the plot or character. When writing a monologue to show details about a character, be sure to develop the speaking character first so that you can use the monologue to show certain aspects about their traits more clearly. 

To show us the internal struggles and thoughts  of a character

A monologue can be a great way to show us the thoughts of a character, especially in the middle of some internal struggle.

This is what happened in Shakespeare’s “To be or not to be soliloquy”: in it, we get to hear Hamlet’s internal debate between continuing to oppose his wicked uncle or to commit suicide.

To provide backstory 

As in real life, certain events can trigger memories of the past. When this happens to a character, you can use monologue to show how that trigger affects them, offering a clearer picture of possibly traumatic events from their past. 

How to Write a Monologue 

A good monologue follows a structure similar to that of a good story. It comes with a beginning, which builds up to a middle, and then wraps up with an end.

1. Start with a logical beginning. 

Just as in real life, people don’t go into long tirades for no reason, so your monologue also needs to start in response to something that happened or something that somebody said. Think about what could trigger your character to launch into a monologue. 

Sometimes, it can be something that did not happen right at that point. For example, characters can go into a monologue with the starting line, “You know, something you mentioned yesterday got me thinking…” 

2. Open with a compelling hook. 

Now, just because you have a reason to go into a monologue doesn’t automatically mean your audience will be listening. You still need to find the right hook as your opening line to pique their interest. 

Some of the best opening lines for monologues contain a surprising, controversial statement, or an emotional confession. Also find ways to stir up questions in your audience’s mind, as this is an almost sure guarantee that they will pay attention. 

3. Take unexpected trails toward the middle. 

The danger with monologues is that listening just to one person for an extended period of time can become boring. This means you need to be creative in writing your character’s long speech. 

Perhaps you can add an unpredictable twist or turn, or use creative storytelling. An anecdote inserted in the middle can work wonders in regaining dwindling attention. Do whatever it takes to keep the speech engaging and fresh. 

4. Opt for a non-preachy ending. 

Writers commonly use monologues to convince another person to take a certain course of action, whether it’s another character or the audience.

Err on the side of caution and avoid a preachy ending, because it can defeat your entire purpose. Instead, leave a bit hanging so your audience is challenged to think. That’s bound to have more influence in the long run. 

5. Keep it short and simple. 

As much as you can, edit, rewrite, and rephrase your monologue until it is as concise and clear as possible. Keep it focused, so that it will be more powerful and memorable for your audience. 

6. Space them well within your story. 

Admittedly, monologues can be powerful, but you can easily drain them of potency when you use them too closely together.

Avoid back-to-back monologues, so that each one can shine brightly without losing your audience. 

7. Be specific. 

Instead of falling into long tirades about generalities, aim for specifics. Add concrete details that your audience can visualize in their mind’s eye. 

But you don’t have to limit yourself to visual descriptions: Think about the five senses and how you can use them to paint a vivid picture. 

Writing a Monologue 

Remember, as a tool for showing a glimpse into the inner workings of your character’s mind, a monologue can be a great servant or a hostile enemy. Know how to use its power well, and you can decorate your work with it whenever needed.

However, be sure to pay attention to warning bells that signal you may be losing your audience’s interest, and adjust accordingly. Be ruthless in editing so that it goes off smoothly and concisely, so much so that the audience doesn’t even notice until you wrap it up in the end! 

Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!

 

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