1 | ''An attempt to enumerate the Ur-plots...'' |
2 | |
3 | What qualifies a plot as a Master Plot? Hard to say. Let's take [[https://www.amazon.com/20-Master-Plots-Build-Them/dp/1599635372 Ronald B. Tobias']] list as a kicking off point. He contends there are twenty basic stories. Any of these can be used in any genre. |
4 | |
5 | # '''Quest''': A character-driven story that has a [[TheHerosJourney hero go on a journey]] for something that changes him in some way. |
6 | # '''Adventure''': A plot-driven story that focuses on reaching a series of goals. |
7 | # '''Pursuit''': TheChase plot, very action oriented. |
8 | # '''Rescue''': A RescueArc as the main story, also very action oriented. |
9 | # '''Escape''': A GreatEscape plot, similar to the Rescue, except the captive rescues himself/herself. |
10 | # '''The Riddle''': Basic Mystery plot revolving around a DrivingQuestion. |
11 | # '''Rivalry''': Character-oriented story based on the interactions of two opposing characters, TheHero and TheRival. |
12 | # '''Underdog''': A story where the UnderdogsNeverLose. Revolves around an underdog (maybe they are underprivileged, poor, disabled, etc.) who triumphs despite overwhelming odds. |
13 | # '''Temptation''': The story revolves around whether or not to give into a temptation, and the consequences, Pandora's Box-like. |
14 | # '''Metamorphosis''': A story revolving around a physical transformation of some kind, generally a true {{Metamorphosis}} is a one-way street. |
15 | # '''Transformation''': A story revolving around an inner-change, rather than a physical one. |
16 | # '''Maturation''': A ComingOfAgeStory, where the a character matures physically, emotionally or spiritually. |
17 | # '''Love''': Your basic BoyMeetsGirl RomanceArc, with two characters falling in love as the main story. |
18 | # '''Forbidden Love''': StarCrossedLovers who spend most of the plot trying to be together despite the world trying to tear them apart. |
19 | # '''Sacrifice''': Revolves around a characters and their sacrifices, [[HeroicSacrifice lethal]] or otherwise. |
20 | # '''Discovery''': A story that unearths those skeletons in a character's MysteriousPast. |
21 | # '''Wretched Excess''': Story where the character is in a downward spiral from drugs, greed, depression, insanity, etc. |
22 | # '''Vengeance''': Your basic {{Revenge}} story, very character-driven. |
23 | # '''Ascension''': Follows a character's rise to power. |
24 | # '''Descension''': Like-wise to Ascension, follows a character fall from power. |
25 | |
26 | ''from: Tobias, Ronald B. 20 Master Plots. Cincinnati: Writer's Digest Books, 1993. (ISBN 0-89879-595-8)'' |
27 | |
28 | Compare Booker's ''Literature/TheSevenBasicPlots''. |
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