Narrative Conflict Lessons | On the Sidewalk Bleeding | Activities & Analysis

This engaging and editable PowerPoint lessons introduce the concept of narrative conflict and guide students through the types of internal and external struggle that bring stories to life!

Using Evan Hunter’s powerful short story “On the Sidewalk Bleeding,” students will explore how conflict is portrayed through symbolism, imagery, and irony, and how it connects to broader ideas about identity, belonging, and society.

Perfect for Years 7-10 English classes, this lesson includes discussion, writing, and analysis activities that strengthen critical thinking and narrative understanding.

WHATS INCLUDED:

1. Learning Intentions which clearly outline lesson goals and outcomes for student understanding.
2. Check-in Task to activate and assess students’ prior knowledge.
3. Explanations of the importance of conflict in driving plot, theme, and character development.
4. Types of Conflict Overview with explanations of internal and external conflict.
5. Think–Pair–Share Task: collaborative activity for students to identify types of conflict in familiar texts.
6. Plot Synopsis Activity: guided writing task where students create and analyse a short story summary featuring both internal and external conflict.
7. Short Story Focus: “On the Sidewalk Bleeding” by Evan Hunter with a slides introducing the story, its key ideas and key language techniques.
8. Guided Reading Questions including comprehension and analysis questions.
9. End-of-Topic Review: reflection prompts and sentence starters to consolidate learning.

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