These questions help you verify that you understand the key concepts from Lesson 3.2. Answer each question in complete sentences. If these feel solid, you're ready to move forward with confidence. If any concept feels fuzzy, use the guidance below to know what to review.
Name three types of conflict and give a one-sentence D&D example for each. (What is the conflict? Who or what is in opposition?)
Choose from character vs. character, character vs. self, character vs. society, character vs. nature, character vs. fate/supernatural, or character vs. technology. For each one, write a scenario that could happen at a D&D table.
What is the difference between internal and external conflict? Can a story have both at the same time? Explain with an example.
Internal conflict happens inside a character's mind. External conflict happens between a character and outside forces. Think about whether you can have both happening in the same story. Create an example of a character facing both at once.
Why is "character vs. self" often considered the most difficult type of conflict to write well? What makes it challenging?
Think about what makes it hard to show internal conflict to a reader. How do you make a character's internal struggle visible or interesting? What can go wrong if you try to write it badly?
How does understanding different cultural approaches to conflict help you become a better writer? Give a specific example of how one cultural tradition approaches conflict differently from another.
Think about the four traditions discussed in Lesson 3.2: Western, East Asian, African, and Indigenous. Pick two and explain how they approach conflict differently. How does that difference affect what the story is about?
What to Do Next
If these questions feel solid: You're ready to move forward. You understand how conflict works and how different traditions approach it differently. You have the knowledge to create compelling conflicts in your own writing.
If the six types of conflict feel hard to remember: Go back to Lesson 3.2 and re-read the section "Types of Conflict." Write each type on a note card with a D&D example for yourself. Build your own reference guide.
If character vs. self feels unclear: Re-read the section "Conflict as Character Revelation" in Lesson 3.2. It explains why this type of conflict is powerful and how it reveals character. Think about a time you had conflicting feelings about something—that's character vs. self.
If the cultural traditions feel confusing: Go back to the section "Conflict Across Cultures" in Lesson 3.2. Read about each tradition one at a time. Then look back at Activity 3.2.1 and see how each scenario reflected a different tradition.
Once you've checked your understanding with these questions, you're ready to move forward. You can now apply conflict to your own creative writing. You understand that conflict isn't just about fighting—it's about forcing characters to make choices that reveal who they are and what they value. You understand that different cultures approach conflict differently, and that understanding gives you more tools as a writer.