COLLINGWOOD SCHOOL PUBLIC SPEAKING DAY

DRAMATIC MONOLOGUE BALLOT

Times: 4-6 min. (including Introduction)

Grade: __________

Name of Speaker (please print): _________________________________________

Monologue Title:_____________________________________________

Scoring Guidelines

70-75 76-80 81-85 86-90 91-95

Developing Good Very Good Excellent Outstanding

Criteria Weight Score

Quality and helpfulness of the 10

Introduction

Memory work and polish 20

Delivery: use of voice, body language, 30

and movement

Originality of Content 20

Overall Effectiveness of Monologue 20

Total Points: 100

OFFICIAL TOTAL:
 DRAMATIC MONOLOGUE

Grade 10, 11, or 12 students can select to write and present a dramatic monologue. In
this category, the student will write and present an original dramatic monologue of 4-6
minutes (including an Introduction).

AT A GLANCE
A dramatic monologue is ​spoken to someone​​: to yourself, to an unseen character (i.e.
you see them, but the audience doesn’t), to the audience, or to a spiritual being. It is a
memorized​​ speech:

● that happens in context: something has happened before to prompt the speaker’s
thoughts
● that has the student, as the actor, in character throughout
● through which, the student, as the actor, wants to draw out a certain reaction
from the unseen person or thing that is being addressed: the monologue must
have an intention
● through which gestures, facial expressions, and movement should come
naturally from your words and intentions, and should fundamentally support your
words (they must not appear “added” or “forced”)
● that has an ​introduction​​ (included in the time allotment) should give an
indication of the context of the performance and should convey the reason(s) it
was chosen. Explain why the piece means so much to you. The introduction
should be a direct address to the audience, personal and informal.

Remember that the point of a speech or monologue is to capture the audience’s

attention and interest: demand a reaction from the audience through clever writing and
compelling presentation.