The document explains the concept of conflict in storytelling, distinguishing between main conflicts and subplots. It categorizes conflicts as external (individual vs. individual, nature, society, and technology) and internal (individual vs. self). Various examples illustrate these conflicts through character struggles in different scenarios.

1. A character’s problem or struggle
Ms. Zayas, CMS English

2. There is typically ONE MAIN conflict in a
selection. The main conflict, or central
conflict, is the problem the MAIN CHARACTER
has in the story.
There can be several other conflicts
throughout the different storylines or
“subplots.”

3.  External Conflict
 The person has a problem/struggle with
ANOTHER PERSON
 Also called “Individual vs. Individual”

4. An external conflict does not have
to be a fight or an argument. It can
be a disagreement,
misunderstanding, or dislike.

5.  Internal Conflict
 The person is having a struggle WITHIN
himself or herself
 Also called “Individual vs. Self”
 Often in the narrator’s head., or thoughts

6.  External Conflict
 A person struggling with a NATURAL force (i.e.
the weather)
 “Individual vs. Nature”

7.  External Conflict
 A person struggles with a group of people, or
the majority.
 “Individual vs. Society”

8.  External Conflict
 A person struggles with something man-made,
such as electronics, a car, or a computer.
 “Individual vs. Technology”

9. GUIDED PRACTICE

10.  Jacob could not believe it! He didn’t make the
varsity team. After three years of J.V. he
deserved to be on that team!
 Man vs. Self
 (Individual vs. Self)

11.  Kristy got home from work and decided to relax
after a long day. She sat on the couch and
pulled out her laptop. Just to make sure, she
checked the day’s report. The entire file had
been erased! To make it worse, there was no
back-up file.
 Character vs. Technology
 (Individual vs. Technology)

12.  Ariana asked her dad for clothes, but he said
she would have to wait until they went school
shopping. She was frustrated, because she
really wanted a new outfit for this weekend.
Frustration: Character vs. Self, “Individual vs.
Self”
Disagreement: Character vs. Character,
“Individual vs. Individual”

13.  Todd and Bud got into a
scuffle on the floor.
 Character vs. Character

14.  Miguel lost his job as an engineer because the
Okies came in looking for work. Because of his
skin color, he was told he could either dig
ditches, lay track, or go home.
 Man vs. Society, “Individual vs. Society””

15.  Esperanza sympathized with the strikers, but
could not stop working because she had to
support Mama by paying her doctor’s bills.
 Man vs. Self, “Individual vs. Individual”

16.  The people of the camp ran into their tiny
houses to avoid the dust that tried to get into
their mouths and noses. The shut the windows
and stuffed rags in the cracks of the doors, but
the tiny grains of dirt and sand managed to
seep in anyway.
 Character vs. Nature,
 “Individual vs. Nature”

17.  NOW TIME FOR…
 INDEPENDENT PRACTICE