1. Conflict in Literature

2. What is “conflict” in a story?
*problem(s)
*tension
*good vs. evil

3. Why is CONFLICT important?
Without conflict, there is no plot!
The plot is created around the conflict…
The conflict is introduced in rising action…
Is faced head-on during climax…
Begins to work itself out during falling action…
Is resolved during resolution.

4. An external conflict is between a character and an outside force.
Man vs. Man
Man vs. Nature
Man vs. Society

5. MAN vs. MAN A character struggles with another character.
Protagonist vs. Antagonist
The classic “good guy” vs. “bad guy” situation
Examples
A new student is bullied by a bigger, older student.
A terrorist group has kidnapped the President's daughter and only one man can save the day.

6. MAN vs. NATURE
A character struggles with a force of nature (natural disaster, desolation, animal, etc.)
Usually, the character is struggling to survive.
Examples
A tornado chaser attempts to get footage from a powerful storm.
A hunter gets lost in the jungle and is pursued by a man-eating lion.

7. Society becomes a “character” of its own
MAN vs. SOCIETY
A character or a group of characters fight against the society in which they live.
Society becomes a “character” of its own
Examples
A group of women fight for equal pay and fair treatment in the work place.
A whistleblower leaks documents showing his government's unconstitutional surveillance programs

8. An internal conflict is between a character and his/her self.
Man vs. Self

9. MAN vs. SELF The character’s struggle takes place in his/her own mind.
Usually has something to do with a choice (choosing between right and wrong), or it may have to do with overcoming emotions or mixed feelings.
Examples
A teenage girl must come to terms with her body image.
A soldier struggles to fit back into society after returning from a high intensity combat zone.

10. OTHER TYPES OF CONFLICT
Man vs. Supernatural
Gods, ghosts, monsters, spirits, aliens, etc.
Man vs. Fate
Fight for choice; fight against destiny
Man vs. Technology
Computers, machines, etc.