CONFLICT

What is a conflict in a short story?• Conflict (the problem) is

very important to plot.  • Without conflict there is no

plot.  • Conflict is what connects

each event to another to keep the pIot moving. 

• Conflict does not just have to be open arguments, but it can be any form of opposition that faces the main character.

• Within a short story there may be only one central struggle, or there may be one main struggle with many minor ones.

There are different types of conflict:

• External - A struggle with a force outside of yourself.

• Internal - A struggle within yourself; a person must make some decision, overcome pain, quiet their temper, resist an urge, etc.

External

• Character vs. Character (physical) - The leading character struggles with his/her physical strength against other people, forces of nature, or animals.

Internal• Character vs.

Self (psychological) -  The leading character struggles with himself/herself; with his/her own soul, ideas of right or wrong, physical limitations, choices, etc.

External• Character vs.

Society (social) - The leading character struggles against ideas, practices, or customs of other people.

External

• Character vs. Fate (classical) - The leading character struggles against fate, or the circumstances of life facing him/her.

QUIZ!!!!

• This quiz is for your own understanding only! It’s just to see if you understand the concepts we have just discussed!

• For each slide answer what type of conflict you think it is, and if it’s an internal or external conflict.

• Now, here we go!

1

• Marcus was faced with a choice. Should he travel down the path which would ultimately lead to the destruction of his town and his own life spared…or would he sacrifice himself to save everyone else's?

2

• She peered into the mirror…It was her, but 10 years from now. If she chooses to follow the will of her parents and become queen.

3• Poor Teppep

had no choice in the matter. He would do as his master ordered even though he knew it was the wrong thing to do.

4• He and his men had

been fighting for what seemed hours, when finally he came upon the leader of the invading barbarian horde.

5

• Everyone else in the world insisted on being clean shaven…but not Barry...he would not do what everyone else said was “normal”.

How’d you do?• 1 – Character vs. Self

• 2 – Character vs. Fate, or Character vs. Self

• 3 –Character vs. Fate

• 4 –Character vs. Character

• 5 –Character vs. Society

• These were my choices! But they are certainly open to interpretation depending on your point of view!

Short Story!

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What types of conflict did you find in this story?

What I found…

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