Most stories share these nine plots
At Improv we learnt about basic story telling plots, as a handy tool/guideline to follow. What amazes me are that most stories follow nine (seven basic + two extra) plots (from Christopher Booker’s The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories). (Note: There are other models for story telling)
1. Overcoming the Monster
There is a monster or force of evil that is threatening the world! The hero must rise up and slay the monster, through great difficulty, but they triumph and receive a great reward. (e.g. Star Wars, King Kong)
2. Rags to Riches
Our hero is insignificant and has been born to less-than-ideal environment, then they/someone/something happens for them to discover the potential they had in them. (e.g. Cinderella, My Fair Lady)
3. The Quest
The hero sets out on a long, arduous journey where they have to overcome all the challenges along the way until they complete the quest. (e.g. The Lord of the Rings)
4. Voyage and Return
The hero finds themselves in a new and strange world which is enchanting but treacherous and they must find their way home. (e.g. Finding Nemo, Alice in Wonderland, Back to the Future)
5. Comedy
The characters find themselves in funny situations through some mistaken identity, series of miscommunications, and frustrations ensue until it is made plain. Comedy here is different to humour. (e.g. A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Four Weddings and a Funeral)
6. Tragedy
Our hero has a major character flaw and/or makes a great mistake that results in their undoing. There is no happy ending, resulting in pity for the character that had a tragic dream that is never meant to be. (e.g. Romeo and Juliet)
7. Rebirth
The hero falls under a spell or is under a dark power and becomes a villian. For a while it seems that darkness has prevailed,until they are miraculously redeemed. (e.g. Beauty and the Beast, Sleeping Beauty)
8. Rebellion against the “One”
The hero starts off rebelling to a “one” power that controls the world but eventually they surrender to the power (e.g. Job, 1984). A variation is one where the hero triumphs and changes the world (though arguably that is more “Overcoming the Monster”. e.g. Hunger Games, The Matrix)
9. Mystery
Something terrible happens and the hero has to deduce what has happened using their wit and any evidence left behind. (e.g. Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie)
Most stories are actually a combination of the plots, and in longer series each character may go through their own plots to build a stronger depth in their character. Just think of Harry Potter where the plots take elements of each of the above!
One thing I cannot help but reflect is the necessity of a hero (hero has been used as a non-gendered noun throughout the article) to make a good story. We are wired to follow people and their stories and experience circumstances and facts through other people’s eyes to make a deep impression on us.
This is the reason why marketing, advertisements, user stories tend to be more relatable when you include the human element to it. Maybe I’ll explore this idea next time!
