Intermediate
Writing Short
Writing
Fiction
Poetry
- Handout
- Lesson1.1a
2.1a
Name: ________________________________________ Date: ___________________
2.1a: Plot Packet (Page 1 of 5)
Types of Conflict
Stories can have a variety of types of conflicts. Below are some of the major categories of conflicts that
are found in fictional narratives.
Type of Conflict
Person vs. Person
Examples
The character struggles against
another person or people.
Parent vs. child, siblings or friends; peer pressure, gossip,
jealousy, bullying
Person vs. Self
An internal struggle to overcome the
character’s own fear, indecision or
confusion.
Insecurity over one’s appearance, school progress or athletic
ability; regret over wrong choice, difficulty making a decision,
worry about making friends at a new school
Person vs. Nature or Animal
The character struggles against
nature, including animals.
Problem with a rat, a nest of wasps, a vicious dog; surviving a
dark night alone in the woods, getting caught in a hurricane
Person vs. Society/Law
The character struggles against
rules, traditions or expectations of
society.
Character faces prejudice; character disagrees with a school
rule
Adapted from Teaching the Story: Fiction Writing in Middle School by Carol Baldwin.
© 2014, Teaching Matters, Inc.
www.teachingmatters.org
Page 208
Intermediate
Writing Short
Writing
Fiction
Poetry
- Handout
- Lesson1.1a
2.1a
Name: ________________________________________ Date: ___________________
2.1a: Plot Packet (Page 2 of 5)
Brainstorm Conflicts
Stories can have different problems or conflicts. Come up with at least four possible stresses for your
character. Imagine the conflict your character might face. Be specific.
What if someone your character knows causes the conflict?
What stresses your
Person vs. Person: People
character out?
What if someone your character knows causes the conflict?
• Family
Ex: What if Jamal can’t hang out because his mother makes him babysit
his little brother?
• Taking a risk
Person vs. Self: Character’s thoughts or feelings
What if your character causes his or her own conflict?
Ex: Rena wants to try out for the play but is too scared.
• Broken equipment
Person vs. Nature/Object: Nature, animals or things
What if an object, animal or machine causes the conflict?
Ex: Anna gets stuck far from home when her bicycle gets a flat tire.
• Stereotypes about
gender
© 2014, Teaching Matters, Inc.
Person vs. Society: Conflicts with rules or laws
What if social norms, rules or laws cause a conflict for your
character?
Ex: Michael gets treated badly because he is not a good athlete.
www.teachingmatters.org
Page 209
Intermediate
Writing Short
Writing
Fiction
Poetry
- Handout
- Lesson1.1a
2.1a
Name: ________________________________________ Date: ___________________
2.1a: Plot Packet (Page 3 of 5)
Plot Generator
Think about what could happen based on your character’s conflict (from previous page). Think about
what might happen next and describe those possibilities in the RESPONSES and OUTCOMES boxes.
© 2014, Teaching Matters, Inc.
www.teachingmatters.org
Page 210
Intermediate
Writing Short
Writing
Fiction
Poetry
- Handout
- Lesson1.1a
2.1a
Name: ________________________________________ Date: ___________________
2.1a: Plot Packet (Page 4 of 5)
Outside Story Map
Character: _________________________________________________________________________
Conflict: ___________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
© 2014, Teaching Matters, Inc.
www.teachingmatters.org
Page 211
Intermediate
Writing Short
Writing
Fiction
Poetry
- Handout
- Lesson1.1a
2.1a
Name: ________________________________________ Date: ___________________
2.1a: Plot Packet (Page 5 of 5)
Inside Story Map
Character: _________________________________________________________________________
Conflict: ___________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
© 2014, Teaching Matters, Inc.
www.teachingmatters.org
Page 212