Which term refers to a speech revealing a character's thoughts to the audience?

• A. Dramatic Monologue
• B. Declamation
• C. Extemporaneous Speech
• D. Rhetorical Question

Answer: (A)

This tests recognizing a speech that lets the audience hear a character’s private thoughts. A dramatic monologue is a long speech by one character, often addressed to another character or directly to the audience, that reveals the speaker’s inner thoughts, feelings, and motivations. It gives insight into the character’s psychology and circumstances, beyond just relaying facts. This contrasts with declamation, which is a formal, persuasive public speech; an extemporaneous speech, which is spoken off the cuff; and a rhetorical question, which is asked for effect rather than to disclose inner reflections.