Talking Heads...by Alan Bennett
LO: to understand how to write in a
dramatic monologue style,
incorporating a variety of techniques
into it.
Talking Heads... ‘A Lady with Letters...’
Tips on how to
write a dramatic
monologue.
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.
• Word association
• Story- ball of wool
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Ideas Inspiration:
Have the students use any of the following "idea jump starters" as a way into the work.
Students should write a monologue in their journals based on any one of these. (15 min.)
remember your first romance you thought you'd never get over
look through old photo's, diaries, toys, letters - anything to trigger a memory
stream of consciousness, timed writing
write to a specific theme, i.e.; guilt, pride, obsession, fear, etc.
think of a specific location, or time period
Tell a story to someone in 10 minutes. Then tell
write to music
in 5 minutes. Clarity is important. Don't bore
write without editing yourself - firstitthoughts
us with
or God
back story.
change your point of view - perspective
of aunnecessary
dog, a bird, details
a teapot,
Descriptive
and
specific images
imagine life through the eyes of a real
person, in
a fictional
event are one of the
main things which capture an audience's
telephone conversation
imagination. Your feelings about the thing
a reporter on the scene
described is also very important. (15 min.)
a speech - or preparing to give a speech
stand up comedy routine
imagine the "real" story behind a news article, or tabloid headline
turn at random to a page in the dictionary, point to a word and use it as your first word in
the monologue
write about a painful memory - these often have emotional triggers
Where is this taking place?
Who is in the clown suit? What did he/she do?
What is he/she thinking?
What is the police officer thinking?
What is the child thinking/feeling who is perhaps
watching the event?
Now,
read it
aloud!
Why is the nun so happy at the computer?
What is she doing?
How long has she been a nun? How does she
feel about her calling?
What is her dream in life?
Who was she before she became a nun?
How will they explain this mistake to the
foreman?
What happens next?
How is this both funny and sad at the same
time?