New
New
Year 7

Creating a clear character voice in a monologue

I can create a convincing character voice using tone, language devices, and short sentences.

New
New
Year 7

Creating a clear character voice in a monologue

I can create a convincing character voice using tone, language devices, and short sentences.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A monologue is a long speech by one character.
  2. Vocabulary including adjectives and verbs, should be carefully chosen to match the voice of the character.
  3. Language techniques such as metaphors can be used to describe the emotions of the character.
  4. Short sentences can be used to display heightened emotions such as anger.

Common misconception

That a theatre performance is all about actors interacting with each other on the stage.

Often the most memorable moments from a performance are the actors' monologues where they express their character's inner thoughts.

Keywords

  • Claustrophobic - A claustrophobic place is small and closed, and makes you feel uncomfortable when you are in it.

  • Bitter - Someone who is bitter is angry, unhappy and resentful.

  • Liberated - Someone who has been liberated is someone who has been freed or released.

  • Unshackled - To be unshackled is to be set free.

  • Heightened - A heightened emotion is one that is more intense than normal.

You could ask the students to read out some of their short sentence examples and see if they can create the emotion through their body language and facial expressions as well.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Contains subject matter which individuals may find upsetting.

Supervision

Adult supervision suggested.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the simile with the emotion.
Correct Answer:Like a calm sea.,Peaceful.

Peaceful.

Correct Answer:Like thunder.,Anger.

Anger.

Correct Answer:Like a beaming sun.,Happiness.

Happiness.

Q2.
What is a metaphor?
A comparison using like or as.
Correct answer: A comparison where something is something else.
Giving human emotions to an object.
Q3.
"Staring out into the rain" - what emotion does this sentence suggest?
Happiness.
Correct answer: Sadness.
Anger.
Jealousy.
Q4.
Which of the following is a metaphor?
Correct answer: She is the sun.
She is like the sun.
She smiled at the sun.
The sun smiled at her.
Q5.
What is manipulation?
Correct answer: Where you control someone for your own advantage.
Where you are angry at someone.
Where you are jealous of someone.
Q6.
Which emotions might "he ran like the wind" suggest?
Correct answer: Fear.
Correct answer: Excitement.
Anger.
Jealousy.

6 Questions

Q1.
What emotion does the word 'wondrous' suggest?
Correct answer: Positivity.
Negativity.
Indifference.
Q2.
What is a monologue?
A joke between actors.
A speech delivered by two actors.
Correct answer: A speech delivered by one actor.
Q3.
Which of the following could be the purpose of a monologue?
Correct answer: To show a character's inner thoughts.
To show multiple characters' thoughts.
To keep a secret from the audience.
Correct answer: To let the audience in on a secret.
Q4.
Someone who is bitter is someone feeling...
happy.
content.
Correct answer: angry and unhappy.
grief.
Q5.
To be unshackled means to be...
Correct answer: set free.
imprisoned.
put on trial.
liked by someone.
Q6.
What is the first step in creating a simile?
Choose an adjective to describe an object.
Find a comparison.
Correct answer: Decide on tone.