Character Monologues

What is it?
 Dramatic Monologue
• Dramatic says that it could be acted out,
and is a form of drama,

• while monologue defines it as a speech that

one person makes, either to themselves or to
another.

• A dramatic monologue is written to reveal

both the situation at hand and the character
herself.
A character monologue…

 expresses the thoughts of one person.

 should have a beginning, middle and
end.
 should always reveal something - be it a
story, a secret, an answer to a question,
or an emotional outpouring.
Character Monologues

What it includes?
What it includes:

 A character profile
 Answered questions
 The character speaking
A Character Profile
 Full Name. Age.
 Family Situation. (only child, brothers, sisters, two
parents, single parent home)
 Relationship Situation. ( married, divorced, single,
boyfriend/girlfriend, still living at home)
 Living Situation  (urban, rural, house, rental apartment)
 Describe Their Bedroom  (we can learn a lot by how a
person lives)
 A Childhood memory.
 A Secret.
 A favorite food and a least favorite food.
Answered Questions
 What does this character want in the next five
minutes?
 In the next five hours?
 In the next five days?
 In the next five years?
 What do they want for themselves?
 For their family?
 For their loved ones?
 For the town/city they live in?
 For the country? For the world?
The Character Speaking:
 The character needs to reveal a secret to the
listener.
 The character needs to prove something to the
listener.
 The character needs to reveal they love the
listener.
 The character needs to reveal they hate the
listener.
 The character needs to stand up to the
listener.
Call of the Wild Journal Entry #6:
Character Monologue
 You are to write a monologue of one of the following characters:
Mercedes, Charles, Hal, Sol-leks or an on-looker in Skaguay.
 Your characterization should be three paragraphs in length (8-10
sentences each for a total of 24-30 sentences).
 It should:
 be a one way conversation or thought process.

 Show the qualities of the character through indirect

characterization.
 Give some idea of what you think they look like, even if just briefly.

 Give an impression of it addressing someone else or themselves

– one ONLY
 If they are talking to someone else a clear idea of their
relationship to the other person should be available.
Examples and Non-Examples
 Non-Examples:
 A conversation between Hal and Charles.

 Any thoughts from the dogs.

 Examples:
 A monologue for Mercedes – her thoughts about the
situation as she rides in the sled.
 A monologue for Hal – his thoughts after Mercedes
protects the dogs.
 A monologue for Charles – a one-sided conversation
he has with Hal about the dogs not performing.