MONOLOGUE AND

STORYTELLING
( E N G E LT 6 - S P E E C H A N D T H E AT E R A R T S )

Instructor:
ASKIN D. VILLARIAS
MONOLOGUE
 MONOLOGUE
It is a long speech by a single character in a theatre production or
film. Monologues can either be addressing other characters in the
scene, or they can be one character talking to themselves or to the
audience.
The word monologue is made up of the Greek roots
for alone and speak, and it is the counterpart of the word dialogue,
which comes from the Greek word for conversation.
 THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
M ONOL OGU E AND STORY TELL ING

When a character is talking to themselves in an

internal monologue (sometimes called “interior
monologue”) rather than talking to another character,
it’s often further defined as a “soliloquy.”
 3 C O N S I D E R AT I O N I N
WRITING A MONOLOGUE

The character’s backstory or importance to the

storyline.
The character’s motivation.
The character’s voice
 H O W TO W R I T E A
MONOLOGUE

BEGINNING

- In real life, people don’t just start monologuing

without a reason; they usually start speaking in
response to something else that was said or to
something that happened. 
 H O W TO W R I T E A
MONOLOGUE

MIDDLE

- The middle of a monologue can be the hardest part to

write, because viewers will start to get bored during
long speeches; it’s vital to keep your monologues from
being predictable.
 H O W TO W R I T E A
MONOLOGUE

END

- It’s common for monologues—especially ones meant

to convince another character to do something—to
wrap up with a quick statement of meaning.
 TIPS FOR WRITING A STRONG
MONOLOGUE

Keep it concise.

Placement is key.

Use detail. 
Read and watch more monologues. 
 M O N O L O G U E P R E PA R AT I O N
EXERCISES

Change direction with each thought.

Synonyms and consonants.
Create memories for the character.
 PERFORMING YOUR
MONOLOGUE

Warm-up Before Audition

Get into character.

Make a professional entrance.

Avoid delivering the monologue to the panel.

Don’t panic if you make a mistake.

Be prepared to take direction.

STORYTELLING
 WHAT IS STORYTELLING?

Storytelling describes the social and cultural activity of sharing stories,

sometimes with improvisation, theatrics or embellishment. Every culture has
its own stories or narratives, which are shared as a means of entertainment,
education, cultural preservation or instilling moral values. Crucial elements
of stories and storytelling include plot, characters and narrative point of view.
The term "storytelling" can refer in a narrow sense specifically to oral
storytelling and also in a looser sense to techniques used in other media to
unfold or disclose the narrative of a story.
 4 T Y P E S O F S TO RY T E L L I N G

ORAL STORYTELLING

VISUAL STORYTELLING

WRITTEN STORYTELLING
DIGITAL STORYTELLING
 6 R U L E S O F S TO RY T E L L I N G
(BY PIXAR)

Great stories are universal.

Great stories have a clear purpose and structure.

Great stories have a character to root for.

Great stories appeal to the deepest emotions

Great stories and surprising and unexpected.

Great stories and simple and focused.

 7 S T O RY T E L L I N G T E C H N I Q U E S
(BY TED PRESENTERS)

Immerse your audience in the story.

Tell a personal story.
Create suspense.
Bring characters to life.
Show. Don’t tell.
Build up to S.T.A.R. moment.
End with a positive takeaway.
 REFERENCES AND SUGGESTED
READINGS

Chibana, N.(n. d.). 7 Storytelling Techniques Used By The Most Inspiring TED
Presenters. Visme.
https://visme.co/blog/7-storytelling-techniques-used-by-the-most-inspiring-ted-pres
enters
/

Mamet, D. (2020). How to Write A Monologue with Examples?. Masterclass. https://

www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-a-monologue-with-examples#what-is-a
-monologue
 REFERENCES AND SUGGESTED
READINGS

Mamet, D. (2020). How to Write A Monologue with Examples?. Masterclass.

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-a-monologue-with-example
s#what-is-a-monologue

Mamet, D. (2020). Types of Storytelling: 4 Ways to Communicate Through

Story. Masterclass. https://
www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-storytelling#4-types-of-storytelling
 REFERENCES AND SUGGESTED
READINGS

Peters, B. (2018). 6 Rules of Great Storytelling (As Told by Pixar).

Medium.Com. https://medium.com/@
Brian_G_Peters/6-rules-of-great-storytelling-as-told-by-pixar-fcc6ae225f5
0

Wikipedia (n. d.). Storytelling.. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storytelling