Conflict notes

CONFLICT • Conflict is the main struggle or problem in a story

• Every story has at least ONE conflict

• Most stories have MANY conflicts, but one MAIN or

CENTRAL conflict

Without conflict, the story would be SO boring and

nothing would happen!

Two types of conflict

Internal conflict

&

External conflict

EXTERNAL CONFLICT

External conflict is between a character

and an outside force

External conflicts:

• Individual vs. individual

• Individual vs. nature

• Individual vs. technology

• Individual vs. society

• Individual vs. supernatural

Individual vs. Individual

•This type of conflict pits one character

against another character

• 1 vs 1

Individual vs Nature

• Problem or struggle where an individual is up against a force of nature

• Character vs. fire

• Character vs. superstorm

• Character vs. snow/ blizzard

• Character vs. heatwave/draught

Individual vs. Technology

•Problem or struggle where one character is up

against a machine or technological force

Individual vs. Society

• Problem or struggle where one character is up against

values and customs of society

Individual vs. Supernatural

• Problem or struggle where a character is up against a

supernatural force, or something that is not

natural or from this world it

• Supernatural = magical, paranormal, alien, etc

Internal conflict

There is only one kind!

Internal Conflict = Individual vs. Self

• This conflict happens inside a character’s mind or heart

• Two opposing positions, thoughts, or feelings in the

character’s mind/ heart

Other people might not know this conflict is happening

The character is making decisions or struggling

with something