Name: _____________________________ Period: _____ Date: ______________________

9th Grade EA1: Narrative

Writing a Narrative Monologue

A monologue is a long speech by one actor in a play or movie, or as part of a theatrical or broadcast program.

A narrative monologue usually entails a character telling a story, often in past tense. These monologues
often use such a story as an analogy to the actual conflict and situation within the script’s events, or as a
way to explain how a character came to be the way he/she is or will be.
 Interior monologues involve a character externalizing his/her thoughts so that the audience can
witness experiences what would otherwise be mostly internal.
 In contrast, a dramatic monologue involves one character speaking to another character in an
extended speech.

Example of a 3rd Person Dramatic Narrative Monologue: Jaws – The Indianapolis Speech Link:
https://screencraft.org/2018/01/24/how-to-write-compelling-monologues-that-matter/

Assignment: For this assignment, you will take on the persona of one of the characters from the short story unit
we just completed and write a narrative monologue (interior or dramatic) to share aloud with your classmates. The
monologue must convey the following elements of narrative: (1) POV (1st or 3rd), (2) setting (time, place, and
mood), (3) characterization, (4) conflict(s), (5) climax, and (6) resolution (conclusion). You may use one of
the following ideas, but feel free to be creative.

 Miss Lottie from “Marigolds”

 Example: Miss Lottie’s interior monologue as she writes a letter to a distant cousin telling the
story about the destruction of her flowers.
 Jim from “The Gift of the Magi”
 Example: Jim’s interior monologue as he considers a Christmas gift for Della and decides to sell
his watch.
 Fortunato from “The Cask of Amontillado”
 Example: Fortunato’s dramatic monologue in the “afterlife,” telling the story of the moments
before he died to a friend.
 Myop from “The Flowers”
 Example: Myop’s dramatic monologue as she tells her parents what she encountered on her walk
that day.
 The Dead Man from “The Flowers”
 Example: The dead man’s dramatic monologue in the “afterlife” telling the story of what
happened to him on that fatal day to a friend.
Requirements:
 Convey the elements of narrative: (1) POV (1st or 3rd), (2) setting (time, place, and mood),
(3) characterization, (4) conflict(s), (5) climax, and (6) resolution (conclusion).
 250-300 words (1 page)
 Typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman

The following pre-writing worksheet is designed to help you use the information you know about the character
and your imagination to create a believable narrative monologue that is consistent with your character’s
personality, beliefs, related conflict(s) and relationships.

Name: _____________________________ Period: _____ Date: ______________________

9h Grade EA1: Narrative

Pre-Writing Worksheet

Character:
(Explain why you
chose this character.)

Characterization

Consider the
physical, social, and
emotional
characteristics.

Setting

Consider the time

and place in which
the character exists.
(setting of the story
and the larger context)

Conflicts:

Consider the internal

and/or external
conflicts the
character faces.

Dominant Tone of the Monologue: _______________________

 Dramatic (1st or 3rd POV): To whom is the character speaking?
Type of Monologue: Interior (1st
(circle one) or 3rd POV)

Setting
Provide details to (Provide descriptive imagery. The imagery can be used to help convey the dominant
convey the tone.)
environment/setting in
which the narrative
takes place:

Conflict

Conflict
explored/highlighted
in the narrative:
(internal or external)

Climax

Resolution/Conclusion
What will finish the
monologue: An event A reflection A solution An action
(circle one)

Briefly describe the

conclusion to the
monologue.
REVISE

Rubric
 4 3 2 1 0
Development Scenario is very Scenario is Scenario is Scenario lacks Scenario is not
of scenario thorough and developed with developed with any detail. developed.
well developed. some detail. minimal detail.
Use of Emotion/state of Emotion/state Emotion/state Emotion/state Monologue is
emotion/state mind is apparent of mind shifts of mind is of mind is not not performed.
of mind throughout entire slightly minimally incorporated.
monologue. throughout incorporated in
monologue. monologue.
Emotion/state Emotion/state of Emotion/state Emotion/state Emotion/state Monologue is
of mind mind is very of mind is of mind lacks of mind is not not performed.
appropriate for appropriate for fairly connection to relevant to
the given the monologue. consistent with the monologue. monologue.
character the monologue.
Believability of Character is Character is Character is Character is Monologue not
portrayal realistic, realistic and mostly realistic not very performed.
based upon believable and believable. and believable. realistic and
emotion/state consistent. believable.
of mind