1. Elements of a short story
CONFLICT
Elements of a short story

2. Without conflict there is no plot
Without conflict there is no plot. Conflict is any form of opposition that faces the main character. Conflict can be divided into two larger categories:
External – a struggle with a force outside of one’s self.
Internal – a struggle within one’s self (i.e. a person must make a decision, overcome a hardship, resist an urge, etc)

3. And then subdivided into:
Person vs. Person – the leading character struggles with his physical human strength against other men.
Person vs. Nature – the leading character struggles against the forces of nature.
Person vs. Society – the leading character struggles against ideas, practices, or customs of other people
Person vs. Self – the leading character struggles with him/herself; with his/her soul, ideas of right or wrong, physical limitations, choices, etc.
Person versus fate, supernatural, technology

4. EXAMPLES
of conflict

5. Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers by JRR Tolkien
Gollum/Smeagol: We wants it. We needs it. Must have the precioussss. They stole it from us. Sneaky little hobbitsesss. Wicked, trickssssy, falssse! No! Not Master. Yes, precious. False. They will cheat you, hurt you, lie. Master’s my friend. You don’t have any friends. Nobody likes YOU... Not listening. Not listening. You're a liar and a thief. Nope. Mur...derer...! Go away. Go away!  Hahahahaha! I hate you, I hate you. Where would you be without me? Gollum, Gollum. I saved us. It was me. We survived because of me!  Not anymore. What did you say? Master looks after us now. We don’t need you. What? Leave now and never come back. No!!! Leave now and never come back!  Arghhhh! LEAVE NOW AND NEVER COME BACK. We... we told him to go away! And away he goes, preciousss. Gone, gone, gone! Smeagol is free!
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers by JRR Tolkien
Person versus Self

6. “A moment later came an explosive roar as a large serac somewhere close above came crashing down. I froze, my heart in my throat, but the avalanching ice passed fifty yards to the left, out of sight, without doing any damage.” Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
Person vs Nature

7. “Scout,” said Atticus, “nigger lover is just one of those terms that don’t mean anything. It’s hard to explain – ignorant, trashy people use it when they think somebody is favouring Negroes over and above themselves. ..” “You aren’t really a nigger lover are you?” “ I certainly am. I do my best to love everybody. It’s never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is, it doesn’t hurt you. So don’t let Mrs. Dubose get you down…” To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Person vs Society

8. “‘Would you mind moving out of the way
“‘Would you mind moving out of the way?’ came Malfoy’s cold drawl from behind them. ‘Are you trying to earn some extra money, Weasley? Hoping to be gamekeeper yourself when you leave Hogwarts, I suppose – that hut of Hagrid’s must seem like a palace compared to what your family’s used to.’” Harry Potter & the Philosopher’s Stone by JK Rowling
Person vs Person