The word dramatic monologue comes from the Greek words "monos" and "logos" which translates to "alone speech". In a dramatic monologue, the character speaks to a silent listener in order to express his collection of ideas. This is commonly used in movies, theatrical performances, and poetry. Although there are multiple types of monologues, students were only required to write dramatic monologues.

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The two types of monologues are:

1) Dramatic Monologue

2) Interior Monologue

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Example of a Dramatic monologue:

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The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

“And indeed there will be time
To wonder, ‘Do I dare?’ and, ‘Do I dare?’
Time to turn back and descend the stair,
With a bald spot in the middle of my hair …
In a minute there is time
For decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse.'”

(T. S. Eliot)

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Another example of a Dramatic monologue:

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My Last Duchess

“Even had you skill
In speech—(which I have not)—to make your will
Quite clear to such an one, and say, ‘Just this
Or that in you disgusts me; here you miss,
Or there exceed the mark’ — and if she let
Herself be lessoned so, nor plainly set
Her wits to yours, forsooth, and made excuse,
—E’en then would be some stooping …”

(Robert Browning)