Speaking Effectively
Before you begin watching the monologues below, it’s worth reading a little about persuasive language and the techniques of persuasion. Use these three sites to identify the persuasive techniques in the monologues you watch. Then, include some of these techniques into your dialogue to give your monologue more impact.
Features of Persuasive Language
Each of the monologues below is persuasive, each within a different context, appealing to an audience to believe what the speaker is saying.
What is the purpose of each speech?
What techniques does each speaker use?
To Kill a Mockingbird – 1962 (Atticus’ courtroom speech ‘All Men Are created Equal’ – second half only)
You will find the text of this speech here.
The following two clips give opposing views from characters in the movie Kramer vs Kramer (1979), in which two parents appear in court, fighting for the custody of their son.
The following courtroom scene is from the TV series, Boston Legal:
Patch Adams – 1998
Now we move out of the courtroom to other persuasive speeches which exemplify some of the persuasive language techniques outlined above.
Field of Dreams – 1989 (Speech: People Will Come)
Braveheart – 1995 – based on the true story of William Wallace, who led fellow Scots against the tyrant English (Anglo-Saxon) King.
The Pursuit of Happyness – 2006
Remember the Titans – 2000
The Bucket List – 2007
Miracle – 2004 (Coach Brooks’ speech before the game)
To understand more of the context of ‘Unpolished Gem’, there are many YouTube videos with Alice talking about her family and the background to her writing.
Here is an example of a student monologue from John’s point of view in Melina Marchetta’s ‘Looking for Alibrandi’:
Good luck with your speech. Be persuasive and inspirational!