4.5: Unit Assignment
- Page ID
- 386595
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Monologue
In this assignment, you will write and perform a one-minute monologue inspired by your original three-page play. This exercise strengthens your understanding of character, conflict, and voice—all foundational tools for actors, playwrights, and directors. You will bring your monologue to class to be performed as a dramatic reading (no memorization required). You will, in turn, perform a reading of a classmate’s monologue.
Part 1: Writing the Monologue (Paper Copy)
Step 1: Choose a Character
Select one character from your three-page morality play. This should be a character whose inner life, desire, or conflict feels compelling enough to support a sustained moment of spoken thought.
Step 2: Define the Situation
Before writing, answer these three essential acting questions:
- Who is the character speaking to?
(Another character? The audience? Themselves? A higher power?) - What do they want in this moment?
(Love, justice, forgiveness, escape, clarity, revenge, reassurance, courage, etc.) - How do they try to get it?
(Through persuasion? Threat? Humor? Logic? Storytelling? Confession?)
Your monologue should reveal the character’s objective, tactics, and stakes, just as actors identify them in rehearsal.
Step 3: Choose ONE Writing Prompt
Build the monologue using one of the following prompts. Select whichever most resonates with the character’s experience:
- “Picture This”
Choose a work of visual art that speaks to you. Let the monologue respond to or be inspired by that image.
Suggested approach: What story does the art evoke for the character? - “Do you think it's more important to follow your heart or your head?”
Write a monologue in which the character argues this question to someone important. - “Turning Back the Clocks”
What would the character do if they could return to a specific time? Where do they go, and why? - “What I never told my…”
Fill in the blank (mother, teacher, friend, enemy, partner, etc.). What truth has gone unspoken? - “Poetic Justice”
Choose any poem—silly or serious—and let the monologue respond to, disagree with, extend, or reinvent it.
Step 4: Formatting & Submission
Your monologue must be:
- ½ page, double-spaced (~1 minute spoken)
- Typed and printed
- Written in FIRST PERSON (“I”)
- Brought to class as a physical paper copy
Part 2: Performing the Monologue
Performance Requirements
- You do not have to memorize the monologue.
- You will perform a dramatic reading of one of your fellow student’s monologues, meaning you will hold the script.
- Focus on clearly communicating the character’s desire, relationship, and emotional point of view.
- Consider vocal choices, pacing, and physical presence. Even a seated reading can reveal strong character work.
What I’m Looking For
- A clear sense of who the character is talking to
- A clear sense of what they want
- Specific, active choices in how they pursue that want
- An understanding of subtext (what they are trying NOT to say)
- Commitment to delivering the moment truthfully