Feeling conflicted? Work out those issues with a language arts lesson 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