Monologue Preparation

1
Monologue Preparation

• Mask Monologues

2
Task

• Lets review page 256 of your Springboard Textbook
  for details.
• Take notes as necessary.
• On the day of presentations and before you
  commence your monologue, you will need to give a
  brief statement about your chosen character/s and
  the context in which you are speaking.
• Purpose
• Audience
• Roles Relationships
• Length of presentation 3 4 minutes.

important
3
Character selection

• What information do you have?
• What characteristics are apparent?
• What changes in character can you reveal?
• How does the character influence the story line?
• How relevant is the character to the overall
  discourse?
• Is there sufficient information for effective
  insight into the characters overall role to
  sustain the length of monologue required?

4
Character profile

• Gather material about your character according to
  the questions on the previous slide, noting in
  particular the way in which the character
  develops so that the discourse is strengthened.
  In addition, look at
• What is the author positioning the audience to
  believe about this character?
• What judgement about the character is the author
  positioning the audience to make?
• What are the flaws/good points which the
  character himself/herself is aware of?
• Who is to blame for the predicament the character
  is in?
• What social comment is the author making about
  the characters faults/good points?

5
About the Character
Banquo
Lady Macbeth

• Create a general profile of events for the
  character
• Match the profile of events/incidents with the
  mood changes of your character
• Tag these mood signifiers in your text
• Then ( next slide)

Macduff
Macbeth
6
What does a monologue do? What are its
characteristics?

• Reflective
• Revelatory
• Justifies Actions
• Explores motives
• Considers significant milestones
• Assesses relationships

7
Preparing to write the monologue

• The character decision has been made so..
• NOW
• Decide on where and when the monologue is to take
  place.
• Think carefully what does the character not
  know or know at this point? You must keep to
  this.
• Decide on moods/emotions of your character.
• Plan an outline of your monologue what is your
  character going to reflect on?
• Plan the audience positioning of your monologue
  what do you want the audience response to be at
  the end of your monologue ? What emotion do you
  want to evoke? What quotes/lines do you want to
  use?

8
Tips for Writing an Effective Monologue

• Write in the voice of the character-write as
  though you are the character, using I or we
  (first person).
• Write with purpose-remember that your character
  has an audience and goal. The words chosen should
  help him/her achieve the goal.
• Write in present tense-your character is speaking
  to someone NOW. Use active words.
• Focus on a specific event or moment-do not try to
  tell your characters life story in one
  monologue. Focus on a particular event.

9
Follow your planned outline

• Where to start?
• Where do you want to finish?
• What other emotions and reactions do you want to
  explore? A concept map will help e.g.

Start weary
regretful
Blames others
guilt
Finish anger
10
Follow your planned outline

• Where will you use lines, phrases from the text?
• Where will you build in movement?
• What props will you need?
• How do you want to ensure audience positioning?

Show audience I regret my actions by
Start
Finish
11
Presentation

• Props?
• Movement decisions
• Script know your material- length
• Stance/facial expression
• Pacing of reflective speaking/ pace reflects
  emotion!
• Volume reflects emotion
• Eye contact?