How to Write a Dramatic Monologue

When we talk about a dramatic monologue these days, we mean a long speech in a play, usually with strong emotion and that enforces a main theme. A dramatic monologue can take up the entire play, which is sometimes called a monodrama. Because modern audiences aren't as patient with long-winded speeches, writing a monologue for your play or film script takes great skill. Follow these steps to make it effective.

Instructions

1. Read as many dramatic monologues as you can. Writers like Shakespeare, Moliere and Chekhov are classic monologue playwrights, but plenty of modern writers use the technique effectively. There are several monologue databases on the Internet you can tap into (see Resources for links).

2. Know your characters. Anyone of them can give a monologue but it's easiest to start with your protagonist because you know him best. Do extensive character development on him so you know how he thinks and what motivates him to act as he does.

3. Decide on the climax of your dramatic monologue. It should build up to a defining moment in the play or thrust a major theme into the limelight.

4. Map out the structure of your monologue. It's tricky finding the right place to begin. You don't want to waste time but you don't want to ruin the suspense to the climax.

5. Define how you'll end the monologue. You must be careful not to drag out the ending because by the time you've gotten through the climax, the audience will be anxious to move on to the next scene.

6. Write the rough draft of your monologue. Include as much of the buildup to the climax as you like at this point. You can also drag out the ending to make the point clear to yourself.

7. Edit your dramatic monologue as many times as necessary to get the timing right. This is when you must shorten the beginning to get at the climax in the quickest way possible and cut the ending so it leads into the next scene.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep a journal in your character's voice to help you write an effective monologue.

• A dramatic monologue must have at least 10 lines. Make it as short as possible but still keep the monologue structure.

• Map out the buildup, climax and resolution of the monologues you admire to help you understand effective structure.

• A dramatic monologue can also refer to a poetic form that was popular in the Victorian period, such as Robert Browning's "My Last Duchess."

Resources

• Read some of Shakespeare's great monologues.
• Search the dramatic monologues in The Monologue Database.
• Find more at Monologue Archives.