External Conflict: 7 Main Types of Story Conflict
- M.L. Bull
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Conflict is one of if not the most important story elements in a short story or novel because it's what helps keep readers engrossed within stories and books. Similar to plot, conflict is an engine that moves a story forward. After all, if nothing is going on and there's nothing to overcome, there's no story to tell. External conflict is the obstacles and complications outside of characters in their story world, such as an altercation between two opposing attorneys, a forest fire near a trailer park, or a town of people petitioning against water pollution in their community. As mentioned from my previous post, there are different kinds of outside forces, and by using these forces, writers can conjure up various story scenarios and story conflicts.
Specifically, there are seven main types of story conflicts writers can use within their stories or books. Within a conflict, there are at least two different opposing characters or situations that face-off against each other. To better understand the seven story conflicts, you can think of them similar to a wrestling match or two sports teams versing each other.
The following are the seven main types of story conflict:
Now, let's go over each one of these.
CHARACTER VS. CHARACTER
This first story conflict involves two of more characters that collide in the narrative in some kind of altercation, disagreement, or ongoing battle. For example, politicians that go head-to-head in a public presidential debate, or a superhero and villain in a powerful battle over the safety or destruction of the human world. This conflict is also referred to as person vs. person and usually involves a protagonist trying to reach an important goal and being challenged or hindered by an antagonist in the story.
The recent Christian movie, Grace by Night I watched, a story about a crisis call responder and a teenage black boy he mentors and helps to get on the right track include this type of setup in the storyline, as the responder is up against the boy's drunk and abusive father and a group of gangsters that intervenes with the young boy's life, putting him in danger.
CHARACTER VS. TECHNOLOGY
This second story conflict involves a character or characters faced with the intelligence and challenge of science. This type of conflict is also referred to as person vs. technology. Three examples this type of conflict are the monster Frankenstein, the 1984 film The Terminator, and the Transformers series.
CHARACTER VS. SUPERNATURAL
This third story conflict involves a character or characters going against spiritual beings, such as ghosts, angels, evil spirts, or otherworldly beings like vampires or monsters. Similar to the one above, this conflict is also referred to as person vs. supernatural. As mentioned before, some examples of this conflict are the Ghostbuster movies, as well as the stories and movies Dracula and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, or the classic series and movies of The Incredible Hulk.
CHARACTER VS. SOCIETY
This fourth story conflict involves a character or characters' fight against societal rules or traditions in a story. This type of conflict is also referred to as person vs. society. Some examples of this conflict as mentioned before from my previous post are the movies Miss Virgina, Selma, and the classic film and novel by Harper Lee To Kill a Mockingbird, the story of a white attorney who's appointed to defend Tom Robinson, a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman in their racist segregated town.
CHARACTER VS. NATURE
The fifth story conflict involves a character or characters in conflict with the forces of nature. This type of conflict can be about inclement weather, or just about surviving in the great outdoors. This conflict is also referred to as person vs. nature. Some examples of this conflict are the film and short story by Jack London "To Build a Fire" and the 1990 movie A Cry in the Wild based on the young adult novel "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen.
CHARACTER VS. FATE
This sixth story conflict involves a character or characters in a personal struggle with their destiny, calling, or purpose. This type of conflict is also referred to as person vs. fate. Some examples of this conflict are the 2008 animated film Kung Fu Panda, the play by Lorraine Hansberry and movies of A Raisin in the Sun, and the 1985 movie Back to the Future.
CHARACTER VS. SELF
This seventh and last story conflict involves a character or characters' internal conflict and moral battle with their fears, doubts, beliefs, or trauma. Although this one is more internal, it also is external as based on characters' emotions it can have an effect on the actions and behaviors they take in the story world, which can also hinder them. This type of conflict is also referred to as person vs. self. Some examples of this conflict are the animated films Up and Tangled and the 1997 comedy drama Liar, Liar.
CLOSING REMARKS:
As you can see there are many different scenarios writers can take when it comes to story conflict in their short stories or books. If you're a writer stuck on deciding on the plot setup of their own story, consider starting out with one of the seven main story conflicts I mentioned here and possibly even combining some of the elements together for a more advanced type of story. For more writing videos or tutorials, subscribe to my channel Journey of a Christian Writer series. Well, that's it for this post. If you liked it and found it helpful, please, give it a (heart❤️), take part in the poll 🤔, and share your thoughts or comments 💬 below.)
Happy Writing! 😊✍🏽💻
🤔Hey, writers, which of the story conflicts below do you believe to be the least commonly used by in books?
🧛🏻♂️Character vs. Supernatural
🤖 Character vs. Technology
☯️ Character vs. Fate
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