conflict 2014-2015

Conflict • Definition: A struggle between opposing forces. • Conflict is the problem in the story. • There are two main kinds of conflict in literature: external and internal.

Importance of Conflict •Necessary for the plot of a story. •Adds excitement and suspense. •A reader can learn from how the characters deal with conflict in a story.

Types of conflict

Man vs. Man • External – Ex = out

• One character is having a problem/conflict with another another character • Mental or Physical

Man vs. Man Examples • Two small boys fight over who will get the last popsicle • A boss fires her employee

Man vs. Man Shared Reading Example • Your Turn! • Write one example of a man vs. man conflict from “The Scholarship Jacket” Shared Reading Examples

”Scholarship Jacket” Example

Man vs. Nature • External • One character is having a problem/conflict with nature that is beyond his or her control

Man vs. Nature Example 1. A family is stranded in a snowstorm 2. A man is trapped in quicksand

Man vs. Nature Shared Reading Example • Your Turn! • Come up with your own example of a person who is having a problem or conflict with nature. (Can be from a book or a real world example)

Man vs. Society • External • A character having a problem/conflict with the rules or laws that govern the society he or she lives in

Man vs. Society Example 1. A driver is in a hurry and runs a red light 2. A teenager breaks his town’s curfew

Man vs. Society Shared Reading Example • Your Turn! • Now write one example of a Man vs. Society conflict from “Knots in my Yo-Yo String” Shared Reading Examples

”Knots in my Yo-Yo String” Example:

Man vs. Technology • External • A character having a problem/conflict with technology

Man vs. Technology Example 1. A robot turning on people 2. A GPS giving the wrong directions.

Man vs. Technology Shared Reading Example • Your Turn! • Come up with your own example of a person who is having a problem or conflict with technology. (Can be from a book or a real world example)

Internal Conflict Man vs. Self • A struggle within a character’s mind • In = in (or not)

• Inside (can’t see it) • Usually a decision

Internal Conflict Man vs. Self Examples 1. A teacher knows she shouldn’t drink coffee, but she keeps drinking it every day 2. A student can’t decide if he wants to try out for the basketball team

Internal Conflict Shared Reading Example • Your Turn: • Now write one example of an internal conflict from “Seventh Grade” in the box that says shared reading example Shared Reading Examples

Seventh Grade Example:

Central Conflict • The main problem in a story • Can be internal or external

Central Conflict Examples 1. Harry tries to defeat Voldemort 2. Batman wants to stop Bane from destroying Gotham

Central Conflict Shared Reading Examples • Your Turn! • Choose any of our Shared Reading stories and identify the Central Conflict Shared Reading Examples

Any Shared Example: