Class Notes Conflict

Definition Struggle between opposing forces Center of a story’s action Forces do not have to be characters/people Center of a story’s action If you remember the elements of plot (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution) they all center around the primary conflict.

Internal Conflict Called “Man vs. Self” Making a decision, knowing right from wrong… One character struggles against himself Example: Deciding whether to do your homework or go out with your friends

External Conflict Four main types Always between one character and an outside force

External Conflict – Man vs. Man Struggle between two characters they do not have to be male Example: Two boys get into a fight over who gets to eat the last blueberry muffin.

External Conflict – Man vs. Nature Struggle between a character and some element of nature Can be animal, weather, geological formation, disease… Example: A girl gets caught outside during a tornado.

External Conflict – Man vs. Machine Struggle between a character and some piece of technology Can be a car, computer, robot… Example: A student’s computer breaks just as he is finishing an essay for class, and he did not save his work.

External Conflict – Man vs. Society Struggle between a character and his society Can be the government or just a group within the society Example: A person protests against an action that his government is doing.