Narrative Writing English Language Arts 8

What is CONFLICT? Conflict is the problem in the story. Conflict is the problem in the story. It is the drama between two opposing forces. It is the drama between two opposing forces.

EXTERNAL CONFLICT A struggle between a character and an outside force is an external conflict. Characters may face several types of outside forces. A struggle between a character and an outside force is an external conflict. Characters may face several types of outside forces. Examples: Examples: Individual vs. Individual Individual vs. Individual Individual vs. Group/Society Individual vs. Group/Society Individual vs. Nature Individual vs. Nature Individual vs. Supernatural/Technology Individual vs. Supernatural/Technology

Individual vs. Individual

A character struggles with another character. A character struggles with another character. This is often the most obvious conflict in a story. This is often the most obvious conflict in a story. This can be in the form of arguments, conflicting desires, opposing goals, physical confrontations or emotional dilemmas. This can be in the form of arguments, conflicting desires, opposing goals, physical confrontations or emotional dilemmas. Many times there is a good guy vs. bad guy scenario. Many times there is a good guy vs. bad guy scenario.

Individual vs. Group or Society

In this conflict, an individual opposes a group of people. In this conflict, an individual opposes a group of people. To “fight” against a group, the individual must have different views, beliefs, or goals than the people around him or her. To “fight” against a group, the individual must have different views, beliefs, or goals than the people around him or her. To “fight” society, an individual or group fights against the rules, the traditions, or the government. Society becomes a character of its own. To “fight” society, an individual or group fights against the rules, the traditions, or the government. Society becomes a character of its own.

Individual vs. Nature

Sometimes the conflict in the story is between the characters and forces of nature that are out of their control. Sometimes the conflict in the story is between the characters and forces of nature that are out of their control. This could be be in the form of a natural disaster, desolation, an animal, etc. This could be be in the form of a natural disaster, desolation, an animal, etc.

Individual vs. Supernatural or Technology

This type of conflict is usually found in specific genres of literary style, such as fantasy, science fiction, horror and supernatural books. This type of conflict is usually found in specific genres of literary style, such as fantasy, science fiction, horror and supernatural books. A character must fight against monsters, ghosts, aliens, robots, or machines. A character must fight against monsters, ghosts, aliens, robots, or machines. The main character must call upon his or her strength to defeat the fantastic enemy confronting him or her. The main character must call upon his or her strength to defeat the fantastic enemy confronting him or her.

INTERNAL CONFLICT A struggle that takes place in a character's mind is called 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. 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.

Individual vs. Self

Why is CONFLICT important? Without conflict, there is no plot! Without conflict, there is no plot! Conflict adds excitement and suspense to a story. Conflict adds excitement and suspense to a story. The reader starts to wonder what will happen next and how the characters will deal with the situation. The reader starts to wonder what will happen next and how the characters will deal with the situation.

Let’s Practice!! Study each of the following pictures. Study each of the following pictures. The picture represents a scene in a narrative. The scene may be in the beginning, middle, or end of the story. Look at the details in each picture (setting, characters, etc.), and identify two possible main conflicts for the story (individual vs. _____________). The picture represents a scene in a narrative. The scene may be in the beginning, middle, or end of the story. Look at the details in each picture (setting, characters, etc.), and identify two possible main conflicts for the story (individual vs. _____________). Choose the conflict you best think represents the picture, and write a one-sentence summary for the story. Choose the conflict you best think represents the picture, and write a one-sentence summary for the story.

Picture #1

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Reminder: After the conflict for a narrative is established, be sure to include all other elements of a story: After the conflict for a narrative is established, be sure to include all other elements of a story: Characters Characters Setting Setting Exposition Exposition Rising Actions Rising Actions Climax Climax Falling Actions Falling Actions Resolution Resolution Theme Theme

CHARACTER Character: a person, animal, or imaginary creature appearing in a work of fiction Character: a person, animal, or imaginary creature appearing in a work of fiction Major Characters: Characters who are involved in the main conflict. Major Characters: Characters who are involved in the main conflict. Minor Characters: Characters who help to advance the plot but are not directly in the main conflict. Minor Characters: Characters who help to advance the plot but are not directly in the main conflict.

SETTING Setting: the time and place in which a story takes place. Setting: the time and place in which a story takes place. real or imaginary? real or imaginary? past, present, or future? past, present, or future? time of day? time of day? Details of the setting are important because they can “set the mood” of the story. Think of appropriate settings for the following kinds of stories: Details of the setting are important because they can “set the mood” of the story. Think of appropriate settings for the following kinds of stories: a ghost story a ghost story an adventure story an adventure story a fairy tale a fairy tale a detective story a detective story a science fiction story a science fiction story

PLOTSEQUENCE

EXPOSITION Exposition: the part of the work that introduces the characters, the setting, and the basic situation Exposition: the part of the work that introduces the characters, the setting, and the basic situation This often appears at the beginning of the story, but not always! This often appears at the beginning of the story, but not always! Everything before the main conflict begins is considered the exposition of the story. Everything before the main conflict begins is considered the exposition of the story.

RISING ACTIONS Rising Actions: the part of the work that introduces the conflict and help lead up to the climax Rising Actions: the part of the work that introduces the conflict and help lead up to the climax The rising actions begin with the introduction of the main conflict. The rising actions begin with the introduction of the main conflict. There are highs and lows, moments of greater and less suspense and excitement throughout the rising actions. There are highs and lows, moments of greater and less suspense and excitement throughout the rising actions. The majority of the story is rising actions. The majority of the story is rising actions.

CLIMAX Climax: the point of greatest suspense in the story Climax: the point of greatest suspense in the story Usually occurs toward the end of the story. Usually occurs toward the end of the story. The last moment of suspense before the reader finds out how and if the conflict will be resolved. The last moment of suspense before the reader finds out how and if the conflict will be resolved.

FALLING ACTIONS Falling Actions: The events after the conflict that lead to the resolution. Falling Actions: The events after the conflict that lead to the resolution. There are usually very few falling actions. In some cases, there might not be any falling actions. There are usually very few falling actions. In some cases, there might not be any falling actions.

RESOLUTION Resolution is the part of the story's plot line in which the problem of the story is resolved or worked out. Resolution is the part of the story's plot line in which the problem of the story is resolved or worked out. This occurs after the falling action and is typically where the story ends. However, the story does not have to end after the conflict is resolved. This occurs after the falling action and is typically where the story ends. However, the story does not have to end after the conflict is resolved.

STORY MAP

THEME Theme: the message of the author. It is NOT a plot summary, but rather expresses a generalization about human beings or life. Theme: the message of the author. It is NOT a plot summary, but rather expresses a generalization about human beings or life. A good narrative should have a theme. A good narrative should have a theme. Theme may be directly stated, but more commonly, it must be inferred by the reader. Theme may be directly stated, but more commonly, it must be inferred by the reader.