L. Acevedo Monologue Preparation Mask Monologues

L. Acevedo Task Lets review page 256 of your Springboard Textbook for details. Take notes as necessary. On the day of presentations and before you commence your monologue, you will need to give a brief statement about your chosen character/s and the context in which you are speaking. Purpose Audience Roles & Relationships Length of presentation: 3 – 4 minutes. important

L. Acevedo Character selection What information do you have? What characteristics are apparent? What changes in character can you reveal? How does the character influence the story line? How relevant is the character to the overall discourse? Is there sufficient information for effective insight into the character’s overall role to sustain the length of monologue required?

L. Acevedo Character profile Gather material about your character according to the questions on the previous slide, noting in particular the way in which the character develops so that the discourse is strengthened. In addition, look at : What is the author positioning the audience to believe about this character? What judgement about the character is the author positioning the audience to make? What are the flaws/good points which the character himself/herself is aware of? Who is to blame for the predicament the character is in? What social comment is the author making about the character’s faults/good points?

L. Acevedo About the Character Create a general profile of events for the character Match the profile of events/incidents with the mood changes of your character Tag these mood signifiers in your text Then ……( next slide) Lady Macbeth Macbeth Macduff Banquo

L. Acevedo What does a monologue do? What are its characteristics? Reflective Revelatory Justifies Actions Explores motives Considers significant milestones Assesses relationships

L. Acevedo Preparing to write the monologue The character decision has been made so….. NOW Decide on where and when the monologue is to take place. Think carefully – what does the character not know or know at this point? You must keep to this. Decide on moods/emotions of your character. Plan an outline of your monologue – what is your character going to reflect on? Plan the audience positioning of your monologue – what do you want the audience response to be at the end of your monologue ? What emotion do you want to evoke? What quotes/lines do you want to use?

L. Acevedo Tips for Writing an Effective Monologue Write in the voice of the character-write as though you are the character, using I or we (first person). Write with purpose-remember that your character has an audience and goal. The words chosen should help him/her achieve the goal. Write in present tense-your character is speaking to someone NOW. Use active words. Focus on a specific event or moment-do not try to tell your character’s life story in one monologue. Focus on a particular event.

L. Acevedo Follow your planned outline Where to start? Where do you want to finish? What other emotions and reactions do you want to explore? A concept map will help e.g. Start weary regretful guilt Blames others Finish anger

L. Acevedo Follow your planned outline Where will you use lines, phrases from the text? Where will you build in movement? What props will you need? How do you want to ensure audience positioning? Start Show audience I regret my actions by Finish

L. Acevedo Presentation Props? Movement decisions Script – know your material- length Stance/facial expression Pacing of reflective speaking/ pace reflects emotion! Volume reflects emotion Eye contact?