Internal and External Conflict

A conflict is a struggle between opposing forces. What is Conflict? A conflict is a struggle between opposing forces. There are two main kinds of conflict in stories: internal and external.

Internal Conflict A struggle that takes place in a character's mind is called internal conflict. For example, a character may have to decide between right and wrong or between two solutions to a problem. Sometimes, a character must deal with his or her own mixed feelings or emotions. Character vs. Self

External Conflict A struggle between a character and an outside force is an external conflict. Characters may face several types of outside forces. The outside force may be another character. It may be the community/society. The outside force may also be forces of nature. For example, a story might be the main character struggling against the arctic cold.

So, what’s the difference? An internal conflict is just that– a conflict that takes place internally. This is better known as character vs. self. An external conflict is a conflict that can be seen physically. We know external conflicts as character vs. character, character vs. nature, and character vs. society.

Examples The hurricane reached land and knocked out several houses in its path. External Conflict (Man vs. Nature) The man on the bus was yelling at the bus driver for not getting him to his destination on time. External Conflict (Man vs. Man) Maddie chose the red dress over the black one for the prom. Internal Conflict (Man vs. Self) Even though her friends tried to peer pressure her into leaving, Allison chose to stay and help the teacher clean up the mess. External Conflict (Man vs. Society - Peer pressure) Internal Conflict (Man vs. Self - the decision to stay) Should I stay, or should I leave the party?

Your Turn- Explain Your Answers 1. Jim and Mac disagreed about where they should take the dog they found. a) internal b) external c) both 2. Carly struggled to walk through the hot, blowing sand. 3. Hector thought, "Why did I ever agree to be in this play? I'll never have the nerve to act in front of an audience." 4. After Maryanne's brother had teased her about being afraid, she had decided to climb the cliff. Now she stood at the foot of the cliff, wishing she could figure out a way to back out. 5. Kim knew that the whole class was angry with her for reminding the teacher about the assignment. At the time, she thought she was doing the right thing. Now she wasn't sure. 6. The snarling dog placed himself between his master and the angry stranger. 7. All the way home, Jeffrey felt angry with himself. "Why couldn't he open his mouth at a party? Why was he always so shy?" 8. Violet wanted her friends to let the new girl join the club, but no one else agreed. Violet felt badly for the new girl, but she didn't know what to do about the problem.