Activity Overview
Storyboarding is an excellent way to focus on types of literary conflicts.
Having students create storyboards that show the cause and effect of different types of conflicts strengthens analytical thinking about literary concepts. Have your students choose an example of each literary conflict and depict them using the storyboard creator. In the storyboard, an example of each conflict should be visually represented, along with an explanation of the scene, and how it fits the particular category of conflict.
Examples of Literary Conflict in A Wrinkle in Time
MAN vs. MAN
Meg struggles to get along with her peers. On the way home from school, she gets into a fight with a classmate who calls Charles Wallace "dumb".
MAN vs. SELF
Meg struggles with self-doubt. She believes she is a failure academically and socially. When she is called upon to face IT on Camazotz, she must overcome her doubts in order to succeed.
MAN vs. SOCIETY
On Camazotz, all citizens are expected to act and think the same. The young boy who bounces his ball out of rhythm is forced to practice bouncing it properly at CENTRAL Central Intelligence. With each bounce, he feels a stab of pain as punishment.
MAN vs. SUPERNATURAL
The Murrys, Calvin, and the three Mrs. W's are all fighting an evil supernatural force. Throughout the book, this evil is represented in multiple ways: the Dark Thing, the Man with the Red Eyes, and IT. The protagonists use love and hope to fight this evil, but they cannot destroy it completely.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows at least three forms of literary conflict in A Wrinkle in Time.
- Identify conflicts in A Wrinkle in Time.
- Categorize each conflict as Character vs. Character, Character vs. Self, Character vs. Society, Character vs. Nature, or Character vs. Supernatural.
- Illustrate conflicts in the cells, using characters from the story.
- Write a short description of the conflict below the cell.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conflict Identification | Student identifies conflicts as directed and labels them accurately in their correct categories. | Student misidentifies one conflict or includes it in an incorrect category. | Student misidentifies two or more conflicts or includes them in incorrect categories. |
| Conflict Explanation | The storyboard text describes the specific example depicted, not just a general problem. The text clearly explains how the example reflects its particular type of conflict. | The storyboard text describes the specific example depicted, but may lack clarity. Text may fail to fully explain how the example reflects its particular type of conflict. | Storyboard is missing text or contains only partial and/or inaccurate information. |
| Storyboard Image and Effort | Student clearly shows effort to convey the setting, characters and specific scene of the book. The scene is clearly identifiable based on the graphic depiction. | Student attempts to convey the setting, characters, and specific scene through use of graphics, but the depiction may be confusing, disordered, or lack some detail. | Student does not clearly convey the setting, characters, and scene. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Student uses exemplary spelling and grammar. There are no errors. | Student makes one or two minor errors in spelling and grammar. | Student makes multiple errors in spelling and grammar. |
Activity Overview
Storyboarding is an excellent way to focus on types of literary conflicts.
Having students create storyboards that show the cause and effect of different types of conflicts strengthens analytical thinking about literary concepts. Have your students choose an example of each literary conflict and depict them using the storyboard creator. In the storyboard, an example of each conflict should be visually represented, along with an explanation of the scene, and how it fits the particular category of conflict.
Examples of Literary Conflict in A Wrinkle in Time
MAN vs. MAN
Meg struggles to get along with her peers. On the way home from school, she gets into a fight with a classmate who calls Charles Wallace "dumb".
MAN vs. SELF
Meg struggles with self-doubt. She believes she is a failure academically and socially. When she is called upon to face IT on Camazotz, she must overcome her doubts in order to succeed.
MAN vs. SOCIETY
On Camazotz, all citizens are expected to act and think the same. The young boy who bounces his ball out of rhythm is forced to practice bouncing it properly at CENTRAL Central Intelligence. With each bounce, he feels a stab of pain as punishment.
MAN vs. SUPERNATURAL
The Murrys, Calvin, and the three Mrs. W's are all fighting an evil supernatural force. Throughout the book, this evil is represented in multiple ways: the Dark Thing, the Man with the Red Eyes, and IT. The protagonists use love and hope to fight this evil, but they cannot destroy it completely.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows at least three forms of literary conflict in A Wrinkle in Time.
- Identify conflicts in A Wrinkle in Time.
- Categorize each conflict as Character vs. Character, Character vs. Self, Character vs. Society, Character vs. Nature, or Character vs. Supernatural.
- Illustrate conflicts in the cells, using characters from the story.
- Write a short description of the conflict below the cell.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conflict Identification | Student identifies conflicts as directed and labels them accurately in their correct categories. | Student misidentifies one conflict or includes it in an incorrect category. | Student misidentifies two or more conflicts or includes them in incorrect categories. |
| Conflict Explanation | The storyboard text describes the specific example depicted, not just a general problem. The text clearly explains how the example reflects its particular type of conflict. | The storyboard text describes the specific example depicted, but may lack clarity. Text may fail to fully explain how the example reflects its particular type of conflict. | Storyboard is missing text or contains only partial and/or inaccurate information. |
| Storyboard Image and Effort | Student clearly shows effort to convey the setting, characters and specific scene of the book. The scene is clearly identifiable based on the graphic depiction. | Student attempts to convey the setting, characters, and specific scene through use of graphics, but the depiction may be confusing, disordered, or lack some detail. | Student does not clearly convey the setting, characters, and scene. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Student uses exemplary spelling and grammar. There are no errors. | Student makes one or two minor errors in spelling and grammar. | Student makes multiple errors in spelling and grammar. |
How Tos about Literary Conflict in A Wrinkle in Time
Introduce literary conflict with a classroom warm-up activity
Start your lesson by asking students to share recent disagreements or challenges they've faced (anonymously or in small groups). Connect these real-life situations to the concept of conflict in stories, helping students see how literary conflict mirrors their own experiences. This builds engagement and makes the topic relatable from the beginning.
Model how to analyze conflict using a sample passage
Read a short excerpt from A Wrinkle in Time aloud. Think aloud as you identify the type of conflict and explain your reasoning. This demonstration gives students a clear process to follow when analyzing other story moments.
Guide students to collaborate on identifying conflicts
Pair students and assign each pair a different chapter or scene. Ask them to find at least one example of conflict and decide together which type it is. This approach encourages discussion, teamwork, and critical thinking.
Create a visual anchor chart of conflict types
As a class, list each type of literary conflict on chart paper or a whiteboard. Add student examples from the book under each category. Refer back to this chart during future lessons to reinforce understanding and vocabulary.
Encourage reflection with a quick-write exit ticket
At the end of the lesson, ask students to write one sentence about which type of conflict they find most interesting and why. This reflection helps consolidate learning and gives you insight into student understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions about Literary Conflict in A Wrinkle in Time
What are the main types of literary conflict in A Wrinkle in Time?
A Wrinkle in Time features several types of literary conflict, including Man vs. Man (Meg vs. her peers), Man vs. Self (Meg's self-doubt), Man vs. Society (characters resisting conformity on Camazotz), and Man vs. Supernatural (the fight against IT and the Dark Thing).
How can I teach literary conflict using A Wrinkle in Time?
Use storyboarding activities to help students visualize and explain different conflicts in the story. Have students pick examples of each conflict type, illustrate them, and write brief descriptions to reinforce their understanding.
What is an example of Man vs. Self conflict in A Wrinkle in Time?
Meg experiences a Man vs. Self conflict as she struggles with self-doubt and must overcome her insecurities to confront IT and save her brother.
Why is teaching literary conflict important in middle school ELA?
Teaching literary conflict helps students develop analytical thinking, recognize character motivations, and understand deeper themes in literature. It also improves comprehension and discussion skills.
What is a good activity for exploring conflict in A Wrinkle in Time?
Assign students to create a storyboard depicting at least three types of conflict from the novel, including visual scenes and short written explanations for each example.
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