- Introduction
- Learn
Try It- Task
Try It
Read the examples below, then answer the questions at the end.
Example #1 (without conflict)
Caleb arrived home from work. He stepped out of the car and hurried up the drive to escape the rain. Through a crack in the curtains, he spied his wife awaiting his arrival. She was curled up on the sofa, a serene little smile on her face. His car keys fell from his grasp, and he stooped to pick them up before hurrying into the house.
Example #2 (with conflict)
Caleb stood on the wet pavement, his arms limp by his side, his jaw hanging in horror as he peered through a crack in the curtains. Before him a man crept towards the figure of his wife as she lay on the sofa.
"Leave my wife alone," his mind screamed silently. His mouth formed the words, but no sound would follow.
On the sofa his wife smiled and opened her arms invitingly. Caleb did not notice his car keys drop from between his numb fingers. They landed in a puddle at his feet with a dull jangle. At the sound, the stranger turned toward the window. Caleb's heart skipped a beat as he recognized the swarthy features of the man inside his home.
He wondered how hard it would be to murder his best friend.
Which example made you want to keep reading? Conflict keeps readers interested. In the second excerpt, readers are curious about what Caleb is going to do next. The reader can feel the character's internal conflict, and the readers are eager to find out how Caleb will handle the external conflict of confronting his wife and best friend.
Exercise
Answer the questions below. To check your answers, click the Check Answer button.
1. In the high seas, the crew was barely able to keep the ship from tilting sideways.
2. Carly struggled to walk through the hot, blowing sand.
3. Brooklyn knew that the whole class was angry with her for reminding the teacher about the assignment. At the time, she thought she was doing the right thing. Now she wasn't sure.
4. Mason thought, "Why did I ever agree to be in this play? I'll never have the nerve to act in front of an audience."
5. Scarlett couldn't decide what to do that night. Should she study, or should she go out with her friends?
 |
 |