Feeling conflicted? Work out those issues with a language arts lesson plan on internal and external conflict. Using "The Interlopers" by Saki, class members identify the conflicts between the characters before writing their own short stories that feature well-crafted conflicts as well.

Concepts

conflict, short stories, elements of a short story, internal conflict, external conflict

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Additional Tags

english language arts

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Instructional Ideas

• Have learners read the story before class, coming to instruction ready to discuss what they have read
• Use within a unit focused on elements of plot

Classroom Considerations

• Lesson only provides one day for learners to read the story, write a three-page story, and share with partners; consider extending the timeline
• Though designed for high school, the resource is more appropriate for middle school classes
• The final part of a three-lesson unit on elements of a story
• Requires a class set of the short story

Pros

• Encourages creative writing and synthesis
• Delineates between the two types on conflicts pupils are likely to encounter in literature

Cons

• None

Common Core

RL.8.2 RL.8.3 W.8.3.a