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A short class with Sarah and her students. The other ways are under More.
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Today, we will talk about external conflict in stories. Can anyone tell me what they think external conflict means?
I think it’s when a character has problems with someone else?
Great point! External conflict indeed often involves a struggle between characters. To remember, think of the acronym 'CASES' for external conflicts: Character vs. Character, vs. Nature, vs. Society, and vs. Technology.
Can you give us examples of those?
Absolutely! For 'Character vs. Character', think of a superhero facing a villain. For 'Character vs. Nature', we can look at survival stories like 'Hatchet'. Let’s explore further.
Now, let's focus on ‘Character vs. Character’. Why do you think this conflict is popular in stories?
Because it’s easy to understand and creates a lot of drama?
Exactly! Conflict between characters can build suspense. Think about Harry Potter's battles with Voldemort. What feelings does it evoke?
A lot! It makes readers root for Harry because he’s the good guy.
Well said! Heroes often make us invested when they face stronger foes. Let's remember this as we think about our own stories.
Let’s move on to 'Character vs. Nature' and 'Character vs. Society'. Can anyone give an example of each?
For nature, maybe someone stuck in a storm?
Yes! A perfect example is 'The Old Man and the Sea'. Now, what about societal conflict?
How about someone fighting against unfair laws?
Exactly! Think of 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. These conflicts often highlight significant issues and can evoke strong emotions in our readers.
Lastly, we have 'Character vs. Technology'. In our digital age, why is this conflict relevant?
Because technology can be both helpful and harmful? Like in 'The Matrix'?
Exactly! This type of conflict showcases the struggle between humanity and technology’s advancement. It can also spark discussions on ethics.
I didn’t think about it that way. It makes writing more relatable!
That's right! Recognizing these conflicts can enhance your storytelling by making characters more relatable and situations more compelling.
A struggle between a character and outside forces.
Conflict involving direct opposition between characters.
Struggle against natural forces.
Challenging societal norms or laws.
Conflicts arising from technological advancements.
In 'The Hunger Games', Katniss faces external conflicts against the Capitol and other competitors.
In 'Life of Pi', Pi battles nature when stranded on a lifeboat in the ocean with a tiger.
In 'The Help', characters confront societal norms and racism in 1960s America.
In 'The Matrix', Neo struggles against the technology that ensnares humanity.
In stories, conflict takes its toll, / External forces make the plot roll.
Imagine a world where heroes battle foes, / Nature's wrath and society's throes. / Technology's grip and conflicts arise, / Through these struggles, narratives surprise.
Remember 'CASES': Character vs. Character, Nature, Society, and Technology!
CASES: C for Character vs. Character, A for Antagonist, S for Society, E for Environment, and T for Technology.
Term
What is external conflict?
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Term
Name one type of external conflict.
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Term
Why is external conflict important in storytelling?
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A struggle between opposing forces, often driving the narrative in stories.
A conflict type involving opposition between two or more characters.
A struggle between a character and natural forces or elements.
A conflict where a character opposes societal norms, laws, or structures.
A type of conflict where a character faces challenges from technology or machines.
External conflict is a struggle between a character and outside forces, playing a crucial role in driving the narrative.
This section explores the concept of external conflict in storytelling, highlighting its significance in character development and plot progression. Different forms of external conflict, including character vs. character, character vs. nature, character vs. society, and character vs. technology, are elaborated upon to show how these conflicts create tension and engage readers.
In the sphere of creative writing, external conflict is a pivotal element that influences character development and plot dynamics. This type of conflict occurs when a character faces challenges from outside forces rather than from within their own thoughts or feelings. Understanding external conflict is essential for writers aiming to craft compelling narratives.
Character vs. Character: This is a direct struggle between two or more characters. For instance, in many stories, the protagonist often faces an antagonist who opposes their goals, leading to tension and conflict.
Character vs. Nature: In this form of conflict, a character battles natural forces, such as storms, animals, or environmental challenges. This type can portray survival themes and human resilience against nature’s unpredictability.
Character vs. Society: Here, characters challenge societal norms, laws, or traditions. This conflict often represents broader social themes and can engage readers in discussions about morality and ethics.
Character vs. Technology: With the rise of technological advancements, this conflict type reflects characters struggling against machines or societal changes triggered by technology.
Each type of external conflict introduces unique challenges that characters must navigate, which in turn drives plot progression and deepens the readers’ engagement.