There’s something powerful about a voice that stands alone. When performed at its best, a monologue has the power to engage, uncover secrets, and make a lasting impression. Whether you’re a student studying dramatic structure or a teacher exploring the point of view from which you guide the next generation, mastering the monologue unlocks a door to deeper expression.
In this post, we will take a look at how to write a monologue, break down the different monologue types, talk about monologue prompts, and everything you need to know to make your next monologue a thing to remember. I’ll also sprinkle in some takeaways from my own writing process, and how JustDone’s tools have sharpened and elevated my work.
What Is a Monologue?
Let’s start simple. By definition, a monologue is a speech, usually long-winded, spoken by a single character. But it’s not just talking to fill space, it’s a chance to get ahead or go inside someone’s head. It’s meditative, reflective, and raw at times. Monologues can be spoken to other characters, the audience, or directed to the inner self.
Think Hamlet’s famous “To be, or not to be…” soliloquy. That’s a monologue. So is a villain explaining their motives in the final act. Or a heartbroken teen trying to explain their side of the story to a best friend. When done right, monologues reveal. They uncover emotion. They push the plot forward.
Types of Monologues
Understanding the types of monologues helps you choose the right tone and structure for your piece. Here are the three most common:
1. Interior Monologue
This type happens in a character’s head. No one else hears it—just the audience. It’s often used in literature or drama to explore thoughts, doubts, or dreams. Example: A student standing alone in a hallway, wondering if they’ll ever fit in.
2. Dramatic Monologue
Here, the character speaks to another character, often revealing something they didn’t mean to. This is common in plays or screenwriting, where subtext matters as much as the words. Think confession scenes or emotional confrontations.
3. Soliloquy
A soliloquy is a type of monologue where the character speaks their thoughts aloud, usually alone on stage. It’s a theatrical staple that helps the audience understand motivation. Shakespeare used this technique masterfully.
Knowing which of these fits your purpose will shape how you structure and start your monologue.
How to Start a Monologue
The hardest part? Getting started. So, how do you start a monologue in a way that grabs attention?
Start with tension, curiosity, or vulnerability. Begin in the middle of a thought. Skip the greetings. Dive in as if the audience has just entered the room mid-conversation.
Example:
“I didn’t mean to push her. I swear I didn’t. But she just wouldn’t stop talking.”Right away, we’re pulled into a situation. There’s emotion. Conflict. Urgency. This technique—starting with a strong emotional beat or bold statement—works in both dramatic and comedic monologues.
Tip: Avoid exposition-heavy openings. You don’t need to explain everything at once. Trust your audience to catch up.
What Makes a Great Monologue?
A great monologue does more than fill a script. It serves a purpose. It:
- Reveals Character: Let us see what the character fears, hopes for, or regrets.
- Builds Emotion: Start calm, end intense—or the reverse. Let it escalate.
- Tells a Story: Even in a single voice, there should be a journey.
- Sounds Authentic: Read it aloud. If it sounds robotic, rewrite.
- Includes Subtext: Say one thing, mean another. Real people do it all the time.
Here’s the secret sauce: show, don’t tell. Instead of having your character say, “I’m scared,” have them talk fast, stumble over words, or avoid the topic entirely. The way they speak tells us what’s really going on.
Actionable Tips for Students
If you’re a student trying to master monologue writing, here are steps to make it easier:
- Pick a clear emotional goal: What does the character want from this moment?
- Write in first person: It helps to stay in voice.
- Set a time limit: Write a 60-second or 2-minute monologue. It forces clarity.
- Avoid clichés: Dig deeper. Instead of “I loved him so much,” show what that love looked like.
- Revise like crazy: Great monologues are rarely born in a first draft.
One trick I use? I record myself reading the monologue and listen back. If I get bored, so will the audience. If I feel something, I know I’m onto something.
For Educators: How to Guide Monologue Writing
Teaching monologue writing can spark creativity, but it also demands structure. Here’s how to help students thrive:
- Use prompts: “Write a monologue from the perspective of someone who just lost something they can’t replace.” Prompts create focus.
- Model examples: Share both well-known and student-written monologues.
- Workshop regularly: Encourage peer feedback. Let students perform and revise.
- Focus on performance: Even written monologues should be performable. Have students read theirs out loud for flow.
Educators can also introduce revision tools that highlight voice consistency and tone. That’s where platforms like JustDone come in. Its writing assistant doesn't just flag AI-detection issues—it suggests how to rewrite in a more natural, character-driven voice. I’ve used it to polish my own drafts, especially when dialogue feels too stiff.
How JustDone Can Help
Let me be honest—writing monologues can feel like walking a tightrope. You need to balance voice, emotion, and structure without slipping into melodrama or flat exposition.
That’s where JustDone has been a game changer.
When I finish a rough draft, I drop it into the JustDone editor. It doesn’t just clean grammar—it helps me identify lines that sound off, overly robotic, or emotionally shallow. One feature I love? It shows me where the voice slips out of character tone, and how to fix it while keeping my original message intact.
For educators and students, this means less guessing and more clarity. You don’t have to be an expert editor to know what to improve.
Final Thoughts
Writing a monologue isn’t just an exercise in storytelling; it’s a window into a soul. Whether you’re working on a script, prepping for a competition, or assigning creative writing prompts, knowing how to write a monologue (and how to revise it) is an essential skill.
Remember to choose the right type of monologue for your goal, find a powerful way to start a monologue, and focus on what makes a great monologue truly resonate. When in doubt, let your characters speak their truth, and then use tools like JustDone to refine how they say it.
Let your voice stand alone, but never unprepared.
