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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.
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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!