Conflict and Plot

Conflict
Conflict is the basic opposition or
tension that sets the story in motion.
Without conflict, there is no story!
Conflict ties one incident in the story to
another and makes the plot move.
In shorter stories, there is generally 1 conflict.
In larger works, there are many conflicts.
Types of Conflict
Character vs. Character
(physical) = when the main
character struggles against
another person.
This struggle is not necessarily a
physical fight. It can be a
competition between two
people.
Ex. Tom and Jerry
Now, come up with your own
example of Character vs.
Character conflict
Types of Conflict
Character vs. Self
(psychological) = when the
main character struggles with
something inside
himself/herself (fear,
depression, past experiences,
etc.)
Ex. The Fault in Our Stars
Now, come up with your own
example of Character vs. Self
conflict
Types of Conflict
Character vs. Society (social)
= when the main character
struggles against the ideas,
prejudices, injustices,
practices, or customs of other
people.
Ex. To Kill a Mockingbird
Now, come up with your own
example of Character vs.
Society conflict
Types of Conflict
Character vs. Nature
(survival) = when the main
character struggles to survive
against the natural world.
Ex. Hatchet
Now, come up with your own
example of Character vs.
Nature conflict
Types of Conflict
Character vs. Supernatural
(Paranormal/Magic) = when
the main character struggles
against a supernatural force
(ghosts, evil spirits, magic,
aliens, etc.)
Ex. Paranormal Activity
Now come up with your own
example of Character vs.
Supernatural conflict
What is Plot?

Plot is the sequence of events in a story.

Plot is a planned, logical series of events having a beginning, middle,
and end.
Shorter stories generally have 1 plot, while longer stories have a main
plot and several subplots, which enrich and deepen the story.
 Plot Components
Climax (crisis): the turning point in the story when the
conflict reaches its most intense moment. The conflict is
not resolved at this point, it just comes to a head.

Rising Action (complication): the Falling Action

series of escalating conflicts and (story settles): the
problems in the story that lead to the events and
climax. The rising action begins when complications of the
the conflict is introduced. rising action and
climax begin to
resolve themselves.
Exposition
(background
information): Inciting Incident
the beginning of
Resolution (conclusion): the
the story when (conflict introduced): final outcome of the story. The
the characters the incident that begins resolution is when the conflict is
are introduced the real story and resolved. The resolution does not
and the setting is introduces the conflict. have to be a happy one.
revealed.
 Identifying Plot Structure
How to identify a stories plot
structure:
1. Determine what the conflict is.
2. Decide when that conflict comes
to a head. That moment is the
CLIMAX.
3. Decide when the conflict was
introduced. That moment is the
INCITING INCIDENT.
3. Decide when/how the conflict
was resolved. That moment is the
RESOLUTION.
4. Everything else in between is the
unfilled out parts of the plot
diagram.
Identifying Plot Structure
Watch For the Birds and pick out the different components of plot from the short. Fill out the
plot diagram on your worksheet when you are done watching. You need at least 4 separate
events in the rising action and 2 in the falling action.