Conflict is the heartbeat of engaging stories, serving as the driving force behind plot development and character growth. Without conflict, narratives risk losing momentum, reader investment, and emotional depth. A well-constructed conflict not only adds tension but also reveals the values, flaws, and transformations of characters, making stories memorable.
This guide will explain the fundamentals of conflict in storytelling, breaking down its definition, importance, and six classic types. Through practical examples and actionable writing strategies, this article equips writers with the tools to use conflict effectively. Whether you’re writing novels, screenplays, or short stories, mastering conflict is essential to crafting dynamic narratives.
What is Conflict in a Story? Definition and Purpose
Conflict propels narratives by creating tension, stakes, and opportunities for characters to evolve. It lies at the core of every compelling story.
What is the definition of conflict in a story?
In literature, conflict refers to the opposition between forces that shapes the story's plot. This opposition could occur between characters, the environment, society, or even within a character’s mind. By introducing conflict, writers enable characters to struggle, grow, and resolve challenges, making the progression of the story both engaging and meaningful.
Why is conflict important in storytelling?
Narratives without conflict lack stakes, leaving readers disconnected from the story. Conflict enhances storytelling by deepening character arcs, driving thematic exploration, and building emotional resonance. It also increases audience investment, as readers become eager to see how tensions unravel or resolve. According to a 2024 NYU study on narrative complexity, stories with multi-layered conflicts sustain audience interest longer.
What causes conflict in a story?
Conflict arises from diverse sources, such as mismatched desires, external threats, or moral dilemmas. Common causes include:
Clashing goals: When characters or groups aim for opposing outcomes.
Environmental challenges: Natural disasters or external forces affect the narrative.
Internal struggles: A character wrestles with their doubts, fears, or values.
Societal structures: Cultural expectations or systemic barriers create tension.
What is the difference between internal and external conflict?
Internal conflict involves a protagonist’s personal dilemmas, thoughts, or emotions that clash with their objectives. External conflict, on the other hand, originates from forces outside the character, such as other individuals, societal pressures, or supernatural forces. A well-crafted story intertwines both types, ensuring the external conflict amplifies and challenges the character’s inner journey.
The Six Types of Literary Conflict Explained
The six classic types of conflict are widely recognized as the foundation of dynamic storytelling. These archetypes allow writers to explore human experiences and challenges from different perspectives.
What is Character vs. Character conflict?
This type of conflict, often referred to as "man vs. man," is a clash between two individuals. This could manifest as rivalries, personal animosities, or philosophical differences. Relationships often take center stage in these narratives, with interactions driving the tension and resolution.
How does Character vs. Self drive internal conflict?
When characters face personal dilemmas, fears, or ethical challenges, they experience a Character vs. Self conflict. This introspective conflict highlights emotional depth, requiring the protagonist to overcome their weaknesses or make life-altering decisions.
What is Character vs. Nature in storytelling?
Character vs. Nature explores themes of survival and human resilience. Characters may face challenges like natural disasters, harsh climates, or deadly wild animals. These conflicts emphasize humanity’s struggle to adapt and endure in the face of overwhelming odds.
How does Character vs. Society challenge norms?
In this conflict, the protagonist resists societal structures or ideologies. Whether they confront unjust laws, cultural disparities, or systemic oppression, these stories reflect the tension between individuals and collective norms. Often, they resonate with audiences by addressing universal themes of rebellion and reform.
What defines Character vs. Supernatural conflict?
Supernatural conflicts involve unearthly elements, such as ghosts, gods, or mythical forces. These stories tap into humanity’s fascination with the unknown and often merge elements of fear, awe, and mystery to heighten stakes.
How does Character vs. Technology create tension?
In the Character vs. Technology conflict, the narrative explores how humanity interacts with and often struggles against its own creations. Stories of dystopian futures, malfunctioning artificial intelligence, or technological overreach fall into this category, showcasing the tension between innovation and ethical responsibility.
Examples of Conflict in Stories
Providing concrete examples clarifies how each type of conflict functions in practice, helping writers to visualize and adapt these dynamics.
Bullet-based Examples of the Six Types of Conflict
Here are six practical scenarios illustrating different types of conflict:
Character vs. Character: A queen fighting against a usurper for control of her kingdom.
Character vs. Self: An artist struggling to overcome writer’s block while crafting their magnum opus.
Character vs. Nature: Sailors braving a Category 5 hurricane to save their lives.
Character vs. Society: A whistleblower risking everything to reveal corporate corruption.
Character vs. Supernatural: A family trapped in a home haunted by malevolent spirits.
Character vs. Technology: A scientist combating a virus unleashed by an experimental bot.
How do famous authors use conflict?
Renowned authors effectively leverage conflict to enhance their narratives. In George Orwell’s "1984," Character vs. Society is central as the protagonist resists authoritarian control. William Golding’s "Lord of the Flies" juxtaposes Character vs. Nature and Character vs. Self as boys stranded on an island wrestle with survival and moral corruption.
What lessons can aspiring writers draw from these examples?
Writers observing conflict in literature can learn to structure their own narratives better. Notes on intensity, pacing, and blending multiple conflicts help craft layered, impactful stories. Analyzing examples also provides inspiration for tackling different genres or character dynamics.
How to Use Conflict in Your Writing
Conflict can be incorporated into writing systematically through refined techniques and strategic exercises.
How can writers escalate or resolve conflicts effectively?
Conflict evolves through the narrative arc, requiring escalation to increase tension and stakes. Writers can:
Introduce obstacles that test characters at pivotal moments.
Allow for moments of doubt or "false victory."
Resolve conflicts through decisions that demonstrate growth or understanding.
Resolution is equally critical—concluding conflicts must feel authentic, either by addressing core issues or leaving room for ambiguity in appropriate cases.
What exercises can help develop conflict for your characters?
Writers can refine conflict by brainstorming scenarios to challenge their characters. For example:
Place characters in high-stakes, no-win situations.
Create dialogue-based scenes with opposing character viewpoints.
Write short stories exploring "What if?" scenarios tied to specific settings.
Bullet-based Tips for Crafting Engaging Conflict
To make conflicts compelling:
Create high stakes linked to the protagonist’s goals.
Ensure conflict aligns seamlessly with the story's message or theme.
Use external triggers like dialogue or events to surface internal conflict.
Gradually expose the conflict’s consequences to maintain suspense.
What tools or platforms can help you refine conflict?
Tools like Scrivener can help writers organize complex narratives, mapping out multiple conflict arcs efficiently. Canva is another great platform for creating visual diagrams to visualize relationships or conflict structures.
Internal and External Conflict: A Deeper Dive
A strong narrative thrives on balancing external events with internal emotional depth, creating layered storytelling.
What are the traits of internal conflict?
Internal conflict encompasses personal dilemmas—fear, love, ambition, or guilt—that challenge a character’s psyche. These struggles add depth, making characters relatable and emotionally engaging.
How does external conflict interact with internal challenges?
External conflicts often serve to mirror or intensify a character’s internal dilemmas. For instance, a protagonist in a war (external) might also wrestle with guilt over decisions made in survival (internal). This interplay draws readers into multi-dimensional narratives.
How does understanding both types help build better narratives?
Mastering external and internal conflict enhances storytelling complexity and realism. Combining the two enables writers to show growth, delve into motivations, and enrich emotional arcs. According to a 2024 NYU study on narrative complexity, effective conflict layering correlates with higher reader satisfaction.
Conflict gives stories their tension, urgency, and emotional resonance. Understanding its types and applications broadens a writer’s ability to craft unforgettable narratives.
