ELEMENTS OF A SHORT

STORY:
CONFLICT

Presenters: Alexsandra Bajao

Jaime Tutor
 GAME TIME!
Girls Vs. Boys
Each group will have one representative. The representative will
demonstrate or act out the given word, and the other group
members will guess what the word is.

(Time limit: 3 minutes only in each group)

Each group will guess six words. But before we begin, the two
team will play "rock-paper-scissors" first. The winner will choose
between option A and option B.

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1. What is conflict?
a. A friendly conversation
b. A disagreement or struggle between opposing forces
c. A peaceful negotiation

2. Which of the following is a common cause of conflict?

a. Mutual understanding
b. Clear communication
c. Differing interests or values

3. What category of conflict occurs when a character is in conflict with

themselves?
a. External conflict
b. Conflict
c. Internal conflict
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4. Which of the following is a positive outcome of conflict?
a. Improved understanding and communication
b. Permanent damage to relationships
c. Increased hostility

5. Which of the following is an external conflict?

a. A disagreement between two colleagues
b. A character's fear of failure
c. A person's internal struggle with guilt

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WHAT IS CONFLICT ?
Every story needs to have a problem
and this problem is called conflict. The
main character, also called as
protagonist needs to have someone or
something to challenge him. Without
conflict, the story will not go anywhere
and will not be very interesting to the
readers.

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 Two main categories of Conflict:

Internal Conflict - occur within a character’s mind, as

they struggle to make sense of their emotions or
reconcile with past events.

External conflicts - involve a character’s struggle

against an outside force, such as society or nature.
 Different Types of Conflict:
•Character Vs. Self
•Character Vs. Character
•Character Vs. Society
•Character Vs. Nature
•Character Vs. Supernatural
•Character Vs. Technology
 CHARACTER VS. SELF
This type of conflict is internal, where a character struggles with
their own thoughts, emotions, or beliefs.

Example:
• In "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare, Hamlet faces an internal
conflict as he grapples with his conscience, indecision, and the
desire for revenge against his uncle Claudius.

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CHARACTER VS. CHARACTER
This type of conflict involves a struggle between two characters

Example:
• In "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling, the conflict between
Harry Potter and Voldemort represents a classic man vs. man
conflict, where the protagonist and antagonist are directly
opposed.

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CHARACTER VS SOCIETY
This type of conflict arises when a character stands against
societal norms, laws, or expectations.

Example:
• In "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch
faces conflict with the racist society of Maycomb, Alabama,
as he defends an innocent Black man accused for harassing
a woman.

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 CHARACTER VS NATURE
This conflict occurs when a character faces challenges from
natural forces.

Example:
In "The Old Man and the Sea" by Ernest Hemingway, the
protagonist, Santiago, struggles against the elements and a giant
marlin in the open sea, showcasing his battle against nature.

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CHARACTER VS SUPERNATURAL
This conflict involves a character facing otherworldly forces such
as ghosts, gods, or monsters.

Example:
• In "The Shining" by Stephen King", Jack Torrance battles with
supernatural forces within the haunted Overlook Hotel, which
ultimately drive him to madness.

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 CHARACTER VS TECHNOLOGY
This conflict emerges when a character confronts technology, often
portraying the dangers of technological advancements or the loss of
control over machines.
Example:
• In "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley, Victor Frankenstein creates a living
being using science and technology, leading to tragic consequences as
he faces the monster he created.

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 SOME CAUSES OF CONFLICT:
1. Differences in Values and Beliefs
Conflicts often arise when people have different values, beliefs, or ideologies.
This can happen in personal relationships, workplaces, or between different
cultural or religious groups.

2. Communication Problems
Miscommunication or lack of communication can lead to misunderstandings,
which often result in conflict. Poor listening skills, unclear messages, or
language barriers can exacerbate these issues.

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 SOME CAUSES OF CONFLICT
3. Differing Interests and Needs
When individuals or groups have different priorities or needs that are
incompatible, conflict can occur. For example, conflicts may arise over the
allocation of resources, time, or attention.

4. Personality Clashes
Conflicts can occur when individuals have incompatible personalities or
behaviors. This can be due to different temperaments, levels of assertiveness,
or styles of communication.

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 HOW TO SOLVE CONFLICT IN REAL LIFE
SITUATIONS

1. Stay Calm and Manage Emotions

Before addressing the conflict, it's important to stay calm and manage your emotions.
Take a few deep breath, pause, and give yourself time to collect your thoughts. Avoid
reacting impulsively or letting anger and frustration dictate your actions.

2. Understand the Conflict

Take the time to understand the nature of the conflict. Identify the root cause of the
disagreement and the needs, desires, or values that are at stake for each party involved.
Clarify misunderstandings by asking questions and actively listening.

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HOW TO SOLVE CONFLICT IN REAL LIFE
SITUATIONS
3. Practice Active Listening
Make a conscious effort to listen to the other person’s perspective without
interrupting or immediately judging. Use active listening techniques, such as
paraphrasing what the other person said to ensure understanding and showing
empathy.

4. Communicate Openly and Honestly

Express your feelings and concerns clearly and respectfully, using "I" statements
to avoid sounding accusatory. For example, say, "I feel upset when..." instead of
"You always make me upset by...

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 HOW TO SOLVE CONFLICT IN REAL LIFE
SITUATIONS
5. Focus on the Issue, not the Person
Avoid personal attacks or blaming individuals. Keep the conversation focused
on the specific issue at hand rather than bringing up unrelated grievances or
criticisms.

6. Learn from the Conflict

Reflect on the conflict and its resolution to learn what worked well and what
could be improved. Understanding how conflicts arise and how to handle them
can help prevent similar issues in the future.

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IMPORTANCE OF CONFLICT
Conflict is crucial in a short It serves as the catalyst for
story because it drives the
character development and
narrative and creates
tension, engaging the plot progression, allowing
reader's interest. characters to face
challenges, make choices,
Without conflict, a story and grow.
often lacks direction and
purpose, making it less
compelling.
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ALWAYS REMEMBER....
Conflict in a story is often where the
lesson, or moral, can be found.
Through the conflict, characters face
challenges that force them to grow,
change, or learn something important
about themselves or the world around
them. As the characters confront and
resolve the conflict, the story reveals
themes or messages that convey
deeper insights or lessons.
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 IN CONCLUSION..
Conflict is the central struggle or challenge in a story that
drives the plot forward and creates tension. It is a clash
between opposing forces, which can be external (such as
character vs. character, character vs. society, character vs.
nature, or character vs. technology) or internal (character
vs. self).

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Direction: Read carefully and write only the LETTER of your answer.

1. What is conflict in a short story?

A. The setting where the story takes place
B. he central struggle or problem faced by the characters
C. The resolution of the story

2. Which of the following is a type of internal conflict?

A. Character vs character
B. Character vs Self
C. Character vs Technology
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3. What type of conflict is "character vs. nature"?
A. Internal conflict
B. External conflict
C. Psychological conflict

4. Which of the following scenarios best illustrates "character vs. self"

conflict?
A. A detective solving a murder mystery
B. A shipwrecked sailor battling the sea
C. A student struggling with anxiety about an upcoming exam
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5. How does conflict contribute to character development in a story?
A. It forces characters to grow or change in response to challenges
B. It provides a detailed description of the characters’ appearances
C. It offers background information on the characters' past

6. What type of conflict is depicted in a story where a character is at odds

with societal norms or laws?
A. Character vs. Self
B. Character vs. Society
C. Character vs. Nature
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7. Which statement about conflict is true?
A. A story must have multiple conflicts to be interesting
B. Conflict is not necessary for a short story
C. Conflict helps create tension and interest in a story

8. What is an example of "character vs. technology" conflict?

A. A character learning to use a new smartphone
B. A character being haunted by a ghost in a machine
C. A character being chased by a rogue artificial intelligence
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9. Why is conflict often considered the "heart" of a story?
A. Because it describes the story's setting
B. Because it introduces all the characters
C. Because it drives the plot and reveals character dynamics

10. Which of the following best describes "character vs. character"

conflict?
A. A character is lost in a forest
B. A character is bullied at school by another student
C. A character is struggling to accept their own identity
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THANK YOU