Unit 2- Story Elements and Conflict Types
character vs society
Alice is surrounded by junk. Everywhere she looks, people are littering, tossing recyclable materials in the garbage, and wasting perfectly good resources that could be reused. Alice decides to take a stand against this. She and a small group of environmentally conscious friends create an anti-littering campaign. When one of their videos goes viral, Alice finally gets the attention that she needs to make her point. Will she be able to affect change? (What is the conflict type?)
denouement
Another name for the resolution is _________________________________.
character vs self
Beth knows her best friend has done something that could land her in serious trouble. Beth is struggling to decide what to do. Should she tell a trusted adult and risk her friend not trusting her anymore or should she keep it to herself and hope her friend admits what she has done? (What is the conflict type?)
character vs character
Buck is the most skilled banjo player in town and is praised by all, until Chuck arrives from the big city. Soon Buck's fans are going to Chuck's showings instead and Buck decides to settle it. Now Buck must compete with Chuck in a contest of dueling banjos to determine who is the greatest and who will leave town for good. (What is the conflict type?)
character vs nature
Jerome and his family are vacationing on an island in tropical paradise. The waters are clear, the skies are big, and sand is clean. Suddenly, when a rumble shakes Jerome's sister off of her beach chair, Jerome remembers that the island on which they are staying is one big volcano. Soon the mountain releases its wrath and the eruption threatens every person on the island. Will Jerome and his family ever make it back home? (What is the conflict type?)
exposition
The characters are introduced in the _______________________________.
character vs character
The conflict in the story plot involves one character pitted against another character
character vs technology
The conflict in the story revolves around the protagonist overcomeing a machine or technology. Most often the encounter with the machine or technology is through the character's own doing. For example, it may be technology or a machine that they created, purchased, or owned with the idea that it would make their life easier. Over time the protagonist must overcome the technology, in some instances, even destroying it before it destroys them.
character vs society
The conflict in the story revolves around the protagonist seeing something in a unique way. People in his town or culture don't like his way of thinking. His ideas are different from everyone else's. The main character may need to take a stand against the town for what he believes is right. Our hero may convince the others he is right.
character vs self
The conflict in the story revolves around the protagonist struggling within his/her own mind. The protagonist needs to overcome a personal struggle to reach the goal. He/she may, or may not, succeed.
character vs nature
The hero must overcome a force of nature to meet his goal. Nature can be a force of nature (like a storm, earthquake, or difficult climate) OR an animal from nature.
internal conflict
a struggle between a character and his/herself
external conflict
a struggle between a character and some external force such as another character, nature, technology or society.
exposition
the first stage of a typical story plot; provides the reader with important background knowledge and introduces the setting, characters and conflict.
plot
the organized pattern or sequence of events that make up a story.
climax
the point of greatest interest of the story or play, usually occurs towards the end. MOST IMPORTANTLY IT IS THE TURNING POINT in the story. The main character will change in some way.
rising action
the second stage of the plot which develops the conflict or struggle
resolution
the solving of the problem/ conflict in a story. This is also known as the denouement.
falling action
the stage of the plot in which the story begins to draw to a close; occurs after the climax and before the resolution. The tension eases as the falling action begins.
