Question

These are internal or external conflicts, which is which?

1. Frank feels guilty about not telling
his parents what happened at the party.

2. Mr. Farris’s letters to the editor of the
local newspaper turned into a very nasty
exchange with another reader.

3. Mark argues with his team members who
are angry because he missed practice
so often.

4. Dr. MacDougal can't decide whether to
waive his fees for a patient who is
struggling financially.

Answer 1

INTERNAL CONFLICT: FRANK... DR... EXTERNAL CONFLICT: MR... MARK...

Answer 2

Internal conflicts among the options provided are:

1. Frank feels guilty about not telling his parents what happened at the party.

4. Dr. MacDougal can't decide whether to waive his fees for a patient who is struggling financially.

External conflicts are:

2. Mr. Farris’s letters to the editor of the local newspaper turned into a very nasty exchange with another reader.

3. Mark argues with his team members who are angry because he missed practice so often.

An internal conflict is a struggle within a character and occurs in their own mind about what to he/she should think or do.

External conflict refers to a struggle that occurs between the protagonist and some external force. Therefore, the force is outside the body of the protagonist.