Asked by mom

What drives the action in a story?
Responses

direct characterization
direct characterization - no response given

the dialogue between characters
the dialogue between characters - no response given

dramatic irony
dramatic irony - no response given

the central conflict

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
The central conflict.

The conflict — internal or external — creates tension and stakes, forces characters to make choices and take actions, and so drives the sequence of events in the plot. Other elements (dialogue, characterization, dramatic irony) shape how the conflict is revealed, but don’t by themselves propel the plot.