1. Class Notes
Conflict

2. 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.

3. 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

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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.