Types of Conflict

Types of Conflict

There are several different types of conflict in narrative writing.

Types of Conflict

1. Character vs Self

2. Character vs Character

3. Character vs Nature

4. Character vs Society

Types of Conflict

• Character vs self: the character is facing a challenge that only involves them and their decisions

• Character vs. character: the character is facing a problem that involves another character

• Character vs nature: the conflict the character is facing has to do with natural events (a tornado, a flood, the wind, etc...)

• Character vs, society: opposition with society, the government, or a cultural tradition or societal norm

 Poor Rapunzel has just left the tower and is feeling mighty conflicted about what she has done by defying her mother's wishes. 

Multiple Choice

What type of conflict is Rapunzel facing?

• Character vs self

• Character vs character

• Character vs nature

• Character vs society

Frozen: Anna and Elsa disagree about whether or not Elsa should return home.  

Multiple Choice

What type of conflict is displayed in the scene from Frozen?

• Character vs self

• Character vs character

• Character vs nature

• Character vs society

Moana: Moana is determined to see what's beyond the horizon, but nature (the ocean) has different plans. 

Multiple Choice

What type of conflict is Mona facing?

• Character vs self

• Character vs character

• Character vs nature

• Character vs society

Conflicts

• Character vs Self

• Character vs Character

• Character vs Nature

• Character vs Society

Character vs Self 

1. Internal

2. External

Internal Conflict

The struggle takes place in the character's mind. 

External Conflict

Conflict is outside of the character's control

Open Ended

Name one example of an external conflict. It can be something you have experienced, something you have read, or something you have seen in a movie or show.

Multiple Select

Tommy was late to the concert since the road was flooded and he had to take a detour. What type of conflict is this?

• Internal

• External

Multiple Select

A character agonizes over whether or not to cheat on a test.

• Internal conflict

• External conflict

Multiple Choice

Joanna did not raise her hand when the teacher asked if there were any questions. She was afraid her question would sound silly, and she could not remember if the teacher had already covered the information she didn’t understand.

• Internal

• External

Multiple Choice

The group of friends wanted to play baseball at the park, but there was an intimidating-looking dog on the diamond.

• Internal

• External

Fill in the Blank

If a conflict is within the character's control and happening within them it is

Fill in the Blank

If a conflict is outside of the character's control and is not happening within them it is