Dramatic monologues are a literary device that have been used since ancient times in classical Greek theatre. Today, they remain a common weapon in the arsenal of novelists, screenwriters and playwrights across the world. If you’ve ever wondered how to write a monologue, join us at What We Writing as we take you through our complete step-by-step guide and provide you with examples of the best monologues in action!
What Is A Monologue?
A monologue is a long speech by a single character in a theatre production, film or book. Monologues can either be delivered to other characters in a scene, or they can be one character talking to themselves, with only the audience hearing them. The term “monologue” comes from the Greek words for “alone” and “speak,” and is the counterpart to the word “dialogue,” which comes from the Greek word for “conversation.”
Monologues have a very distinct purpose in storytelling: to provide the audience with more details about a character or about the plot. When used effectively, they are one of the most powerful means of sharing internal thoughts or providing backstory for a character, or, to be more specific, about the plot.
Types of Monologues
Dramatic Monologue
Most commonly used in plays and films, this type of monologue is spoken aloud to another character or audience. It typically involves high emotion or conflict, unveiling key plot details or revealing deep personal truths.
Interior Monologue (Stream of Consciousness)
This inner monologue reflects a character’s internal thoughts. Often found in novels or experimental scripts, it mimics the natural flow of thought and isn’t often spoken aloud.
Soliloquy
Common in Shakespearean theatre, a soliloquy is a type of monologue where the character lets their thoughts spill out whilst alone on stage, offering the audience a window into their inner conflict and desires.
Audition Monologue
Written or selected specifically for performance tryouts, these monologues are typically brief (1-2 minutes) and are designed to showcase an actor’s emotional range, character interpretation, and overall stage presence.
Monologue Vs. Soliloquy: What’s The Difference?
When a character is talking to themselves through an internal monologue (sometimes referred to as an “interior monologue”) opposed to speaking to another character, it’s typically further defined as being a “soliloquy.”
As mentioned above, soliloquys are a common tool found in William Shakespeare’s works, with perhaps the most famous example of a soliloquy monologue being “To Be or Not to Be” from Hamlet. In this famous monologue, Hamlet meditates on whether he should continue to oppose his evil uncle or commit suicide. Here are the first few lines from the monologue:
To be, or not to be, that is the question:
Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles
And by opposing end them.
Monologue Vs. Dialogue: What’s The Difference?
A monologue is a speech delivered by one singular character, whereas dialogue is a conversation shared between two or more characters. Both are essential to storytelling; however, they serve different purposes and create different effects.
Monologue
- Involves just one speaker
- Usually involves revealing inner thoughts, backstory, or emotional conflict
- Can be spoken to another character, the audience, or oneself
- Builds character depth and insight
- Examples include: Hamlet’s “To Be or Not To Be” and audition speeches
Dialogue
- A back-and-forth exchange between characters
- Moves the plot forward through interaction and conflict
- Shows relationships, power dynamics, and external tension
- Feels more natural and lifelike in real-time scenes
- Examples include: Character banter, arguments, and working together for problem-solving
Use a monologue when you want to dive deep into a character’s internal world. Use dialogue to explore relationships and drive action.
When To Use A Monologue In Storytelling
Monologues can be one of the most effective narrative techniques a writer can lean on. Whether you’re writing a play, screenplay, or novel, a well-timed monologue allows your audience to see inside the mind of a character and feel as they feel in a way dialogue cannot.
Purpose of a Monologue
- In plays, monologues are used to showcase internal struggles, motivations, or decisions to the audience, usually breaking the fourth wall or told during a period of solitude.
- In screenplays, monologues are used to deliver emotional punches, backstory, or moral dilemmas, particularly during voiceovers or introspective scenes.
- In novels, internal monologues (or stream-of-consciousness) allow the reader to live inside the character’s thoughts in real time, inviting a deep sense of intimacy.
When Monologues Work
- During consequential moments for characters
- To reveal something hidden – perhaps a secret, regret or realisation
- When the audience might need insight or backstory
- To slow the pacing down between high-action moments and fast-paced scenes
- As a part of a character arc, showing growth or development
When Not to Use a Monologue
- If it’s repeating something that the audience already knows
- When it halts the plot instead of adding to it
- If it feels unnatural or crammed into a scene
- When the same information could be better served through action or dialogue
Audience Impact
A well-crafted monologue has the potential to:
- Offer insight into a character’s psyche
- Build suspense and tension by revealing something the audience wasn’t expecting
- Create catharsis by allowing the audience to share in an emotional release or revelation
When deployed at the right time, a monologue can turn a scene into a pivotal moment, not just for the character but for the whole audience’s understanding of them.
How To Write A Monologue: Step-By-Step
Good monologues are structured exactly like good stories: they have a beginning, a middle, and an end. This rhythm – a build-up and a resolution – is essential in long stories; without it, stories become bland. Writing a monologue isn’t about giving a character a long speech; it’s about revealing something vital through their voice, emotion, and perspective:
1. Start With the Character’s Motivation
Begin by asking: Why is this character speaking? What are they looking for, or trying to express?
Understanding the emotional driver gives a monologue purpose, whether that is guilt, grief, pride, or desire.
Example: A son gives a monologue at their mother’s funeral. But, instead of mourning, it is a speech that finally reveals the reality of their complex relationship.
2. Choose the Right Time
Monologues need happen when the stakes are high, or the character is at a critical juncture, be it through a decision, realisation, or emotional peak.
Example: A hardboiled detective might be close to quitting a case when they speak to a photograph of the victim, wondering whether they should throw in the towel or not.
3. Keep the Voice Consistent
Ensure your monologue sounds like your character, not you, the writer. Their vocabulary, tone, and rhythm should reflect exactly who they are.
Example: A nervous teen monologue could be uncertain, full of filler such as “um,” “I don’t know,” and other ramblings.
4. Open with Action or Tension
Avoid a slow introduction. Start with an emotionally-charged line, question, or image that hooks the audience off the bat.
Example: “I wasn’t supposed to be there that night. But I was. And now he’s gone.”
5. Climb to a Turning Point
An effective monologue has a clear arc – it grows from one emotional or psychological place to another. The character needs to discover, confess, or confront something by the end.
Example: A soldier starts feeling bitter and numb, but soon admits that they’re concerned about returning home and not being the same.
6. End With Growth or Change
Monologues should leave a mark. End with a line that shows transformation, even if it is subtle. The audience should feel like something has changed.
Example: “…and maybe, just maybe, that’s how I’ll remember her – not for how she died, but for that one laugh on that porch swing.”
4 Tips For Writing An Effective Monologue
The best way to write a strong monologue is to keep practising – every monologue you produce will help you improve the next one. Here are a few of our favourite writing tips for producing powerful monologues:
Keep It Snappy
One of the biggest pitfalls we see with monologues is that they’re often used as fillers for a script. Keep your monologue as concise as possible. Now, this doesn’t have to mean your monologue is short; rather, it means you should spend time editing and recognising what’s important. The more focused your monologue is, the more effective it will be on your audience.
Placement is Crucial
Monologues are strong writing tools; however, too many too close together will quickly dilute their effectiveness. Limit yourself to as few monologues as possible, and ensure they are sprinkled throughout your manuscript, rather than slammed next to each other. This will help each monologue shine and prevent the audience from getting bored.
Use Details
Monologues written entirely in general language are so easy to forget. Audiences need concrete details to hold on to and remember. Make sure your monologues are brimming with vivid, sensory details (if in doubt, think of your five senses!) to make them more memorable.
Read and Watch More Monologues
The best monologues inspire us to produce more great monologues. If you find yourself running low on creativity, check out other examples of monologues to steer yourself back on course. William Shakespeare remains the king of the monologue, so why not look into Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, or Romeo and Juliet?
James has been passionate about storytelling ever since he could hold a pen. Inspired by the epic fantasy and historical dramas he devoured in his youth, his work now centers on dark, psychological tales featuring intense, introspective characters and atmospheric, gothic undertones. In 2025, he founded What We Writing to share his creative journey and the lessons he’s learned along the way with fellow writers and passionate storytellers.
