Furthermore, not one of the observations is about anything that a
politician of his mental calibre would not make. Also the
construction of every sentence is in character. This example is,
of course, ideal, and the precision of its unity of character one
of the great elements of a great monologue.

Next to humor, unity of character is the most important requirement
of the monologue. Never choose a subject, or write a joke, that
does not fit the character delivering the monologue. In other
words, if you are writing a pure monologue, do not, just because
it is humorous, drag in a gag [1] or a point [2] that is not in
character or that does not fit the subject. Make every turn of
phrase and every word fit not only the character but also the
subject.

[1] A _gag_ is the vaudeville term for any joke or pun.

[2] A _point_ is the laugh-line of a gag, or the funny observation
of a monologue.

3. Compression

We have long heard that "brevity is the soul of wit," and certainly
we realize the truth in a hazy sort of way, but the monologue
writer should make brevity his law and seven of his ten commandments
of writing. Frank Fogarty, who writes his own gags and delivers
them in his own rapid, inimitable way, said to me:

"The single thing I work to attain in any gag is brevity. I never
use an ornamental word, I use the shortest word I can and I tell