Conflict

Definition

Conflict refers to a disagreement or clash between ideas, values, interests, or individuals. It is often central to storytelling as it creates tension and drives the narrative forward, making characters face challenges that lead to growth, change, or resolution. In presentations, highlighting conflict can engage the audience and make the message more relatable and impactful.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Conflict can be categorized into different types, such as internal (within a character) and external (between characters or forces).
2. Effective storytelling often uses conflict to illustrate themes or messages, helping audiences connect emotionally with the material.
3. Presenters can utilize conflict by sharing personal anecdotes where they faced challenges, making their messages more relatable and memorable.
4. A well-structured narrative typically builds up to a climax where the main conflict reaches its peak before moving towards resolution.
5. The resolution of conflict in storytelling not only concludes the narrative but also reinforces key takeaways or lessons for the audience.

Review Questions

• How does conflict enhance the storytelling experience in presentations?
  • Conflict enhances storytelling by introducing challenges that characters must face, which creates tension and keeps the audience engaged. When presenters incorporate conflict into their narratives, it allows them to illustrate important themes and connect on an emotional level with their audience. This dynamic engagement can make the presentation more impactful and memorable.
• Discuss the relationship between conflict and character development in narratives.
  • Conflict plays a crucial role in character development as it forces characters to confront challenges that lead to personal growth and transformation. Through experiencing and overcoming conflicts, characters learn valuable lessons about themselves and their values. This evolution not only enriches the narrative but also makes it more relatable for the audience as they see how struggles can lead to change.
• Evaluate how different types of conflict can impact audience perception in a presentation.
  • Different types of conflict can significantly shape audience perception by influencing how they relate to the presenter’s message. Internal conflicts may evoke empathy as audiences see personal struggles mirrored in their own experiences. External conflicts, such as those between characters or forces, can create dramatic tension that captures attention. By effectively utilizing various conflicts, presenters can tailor their narratives to resonate more deeply with their audience, ensuring that key messages are not only heard but felt.

Related terms

Resolution: The part of a story where conflicts are resolved and the narrative reaches a conclusion, providing closure for the audience.

Tension: The mental or emotional strain caused by conflicting ideas or interests in a narrative, which keeps the audience engaged and invested.

Character Development:

The process by which characters in a story evolve over time, often as a direct result of their experiences with conflict.