You can start by looking at the characters' goals and the obstacles they face. Usually, the conflict arises when those goals are challenged or blocked.
Look for opposing forces or situations. Maybe it's a character's internal struggle or a clash between characters. Sometimes it's a fight against nature or society.
Well, start by paying attention to the characters' wants and what's stopping them from getting it. It could be internal, like a character's fear or self-doubt, or external, like a villain or a societal rule. Also, notice any power struggles or differences in values. Those are common sources of conflict in a story.
Look for any sort of struggle. If characters are arguing or fighting, that's a sign of conflict. For example, in a detective story, the detective might be in conflict with the criminal he's trying to catch.
The conflict in a story can often be identified by looking for opposing forces. For example, it could be a character against another character, like in a rivalry. Or it could be a character against nature, such as a sailor fighting a storm. Also, a character might have an internal conflict, like being torn between two different desires or values.
Look for the problems characters face. If they are arguing or fighting, that's a sign of conflict. For example, in a detective story, the detective and the criminal are in conflict. You can also see it in a character's internal thoughts, if they are torn between two choices.
You can start by looking at the main character's goals and the obstacles they face. That's often where the central conflict lies.
Look for opposing forces. If there are two ideas, characters, or groups that are pushing against each other, it could be a good conflict. For example, in a fantasy story, the forces of good and evil are always in opposition, which is a classic and effective conflict.
You can start by creating characters with opposing goals or values. This automatically sets up potential for conflict. Also, introduce unexpected obstacles or complications that make it harder for the characters to achieve what they want.
The main elements of a short story include characters, setting, plot, theme, and point of view. Characters are the people or beings in the story. Setting is where and when the story takes place. Plot is the sequence of events. Theme is the central idea or message. Point of view is the perspective from which the story is told.
Another way is to consider the repeated ideas or motifs. If a short story repeatedly mentions the idea of lost love and how characters deal with it, then lost love could be the theme. The narrator's tone can also be a hint. A solemn tone in a story about the passing of time might suggest a theme of the inevitability of change.