Language Arts: Types of Conflict in Literature
Identifying internal and external conflicts in stories
Language Arts: Types of Conflict in Literature
Identifying internal and external conflicts in stories
Language Arts - Grade 6-8
- 1
A student wants to tell the truth about breaking a window, but feels afraid of getting in trouble. What type of conflict is this?
Look for a conflict happening inside a character's mind.
This is character vs. self because the student is struggling with their own thoughts and feelings. - 2
Two best friends both want the lead role in the school play, and they begin arguing over who deserves it more. What type of conflict is this?
This is character vs. character because two people are in direct opposition to each other. - 3
In a story, a girl refuses to follow a town rule that bans books from the public library. What type of conflict is this?
Think about whether the character is struggling against a group, rule, or social system.
This is character vs. society because the girl is challenging a rule or belief held by the larger community. - 4
A family tries to survive during a powerful blizzard that traps them in a mountain cabin. What type of conflict is this?
This is character vs. nature because the family is struggling against a natural force. - 5
A delivery robot begins making dangerous choices, and the main character must shut it down before anyone gets hurt. What type of conflict is this?
Focus on what the character is fighting against.
This is character vs. technology because the main character is in conflict with a machine or technological system. - 6
Read the situation: Marcus knows his friends are cheating on a test, but he cannot decide whether to report them. Identify the conflict type and explain why.
This is character vs. self because Marcus is dealing with an internal decision and moral struggle. - 7
Read the situation: A young athlete wants to join a team, but the league does not allow players from her neighborhood. Identify the conflict type and explain why.
Notice whether the obstacle comes from social rules or institutions.
This is character vs. society because the athlete is facing unfair rules created by a larger system or group. - 8
Read the situation: During a drought, farmers in a novel struggle to keep their crops alive as the land dries out. Identify the conflict type and explain why.
This is character vs. nature because the farmers are battling natural conditions that threaten their survival. - 9
Read the situation: A boy and his sister disagree about whether to sell their grandmother's house, and the disagreement grows into a major family argument. Identify the conflict type and explain why.
Check whether the conflict is mainly between individuals.
This is character vs. character because the central struggle is between two people with opposing goals. - 10
Read the situation: A smart home locks all the doors after a system error, and the family must figure out how to escape. Identify the conflict type and explain why.
This is character vs. technology because the family is struggling against a technological system that is causing danger. - 11
A character is ashamed of failing a competition and must decide whether to try again or give up. What type of conflict is this, and what details support your answer?
Pay attention to emotions and decisions happening within the character.
This is character vs. self because the character is wrestling with self-doubt, fear, and the choice to continue or quit. - 12
Write one original example of any type of literary conflict. Then name the conflict type you used.
Answers will vary. A correct response should include a clear example of a conflict and correctly name a type such as character vs. self, character vs. character, character vs. society, character vs. nature, or character vs. technology.