A speech in a play in which a character speaks his or her thoughts alone is

Step 1: Analyze the question We need the term for a speech in which a character, alone on stage, speaks their private thoughts aloud.

Step 2: Explain the concepts

• Monologue: A long speech by one character, usually addressed to other characters or to an audience. Others may be present, so the speaker is not necessarily alone and the speech is not necessarily private thought.
• Aside: A short remark spoken to the audience (or to oneself) while other characters are on stage but supposedly cannot hear it.
• Epilogue: A concluding speech or section at the end of a play, often addressing the audience.
• Soliloquy: A speech in which a character, alone on stage, speaks their inner thoughts and feelings aloud. The word comes from Latin solus (alone) + loqui (to speak).

Step 3: Apply to the question The key phrases are "speaks his or her thoughts" and "alone." These point directly to a soliloquy. A famous example is Hamlet's "To be, or not to be..." speech, where Hamlet reveals his thoughts while alone.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is D. a soliloquy.

Tip: Remember "SOLO-loquy": solo means alone. If the character is alone and revealing their thoughts, it's a soliloquy. If others are on stage and the remark is quick and secret, it's an aside.