And How To Build Them: 20 Master Plots:

: The protagonist leaves home in search of fortune or a mission; the journey itself is the focus (e.g., Raiders of the Lost Ark ).

: A "hide-and-seek" story centered on a chase, where one character pursues another (e.g., Jaws , Duel ).

: A story fueled by moral outrage where a character seeks retribution for a past injury (e.g., Hamlet , Death Wish ). 20 Master Plots: And How to Build Them

: The protagonist is usually unjustly imprisoned and must find a way to break free (e.g., The Great Escape ).

: Similar to rivalry, but the hero faces overwhelming odds or a much more powerful opponent (e.g., Joan of Arc ). Plots of the Mind (Internal Focus) : The protagonist leaves home in search of

: Two characters of comparable strength compete for the same goal or object (e.g., Ben-Hur ).

: A hero must save a victim from an antagonist, often involving a character triangle (e.g., The Searchers ). : The protagonist is usually unjustly imprisoned and

These plots center on how characters change, grow, or deteriorate. 20 Master Plots: And How to Build Them by Ronald B. Tobias