Why do some stories stick with us? Whether it’s a fairytale you heard as a kid, a classic novel, or your favorite movie, the same basic plots keep showing up.
But how do these plots work? Can understanding them make you a better writer? Let’s break it all down.
The 7 Basic Plots
For more than 30 years, Christopher Booker explored and analyzed the structure and meaning of stories. His research culminated into “The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories,” where he breaks down storytelling into these timeless patterns:
1. Overcoming the Monster
A hero must face a powerful, threatening force—often against impossible odds. This force (often evil) doesn’t need to be a literal monster. It can also be human or symbolic.
Examples:
- Beowulf (fighting Grendel and the dragon)
- Jaws (a shark terrorizing a beach town)
- War of the Worlds (aliens invading Earth)
2. Rags to Riches
The protagonist starts with nothing and rises to greatness, finding love, wealth, or success. These stories often include a turning point where the hero proves their worth.
Examples:
- Cinderella (from servant to princess)
- Slumdog Millionaire (rising from poverty to fame)
- The Great Gatsby (though with a tragic twist)
3. The Quest
This is the classic adventure story. The hero (or group) sets out to achieve a goal, encountering challenges along the way.
Examples:
- The Lord of the Rings (destroying the One Ring)
- The Odyssey (Odysseus’s journey home)
- Indiana Jones (seeking treasures and fighting bad guys)
4. Voyage and Return
Here, the protagonist enters a strange world, faces challenges, and comes back transformed.
Examples:
- Alice in Wonderland (falling into Wonderland and returning wiser)
- The Chronicles of Narnia (adventures in Narnia)
- The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy’s journey to Oz and home)
5. Comedy
Not just about laughs! Comedy is about misunderstandings, confusion, and ultimately, a happy resolution.
Examples:
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream (love and magic in the forest)
- The Importance of Being Earnest (identity mix-ups)
- Crazy Rich Asians (clashing cultures and finding love)
6. Tragedy
This plot is about the protagonist’s downfall, often due to their flaws or poor choices.
Examples:
- Macbeth (ambition leads to ruin)
- Death of a Salesman (broken dreams and disillusionment)
- Breaking Bad (Walter White’s moral corruption)
7. Rebirth
A character goes through a transformation, often after a dark or challenging time.
Examples:
- A Christmas Carol (Scrooge finds redemption)
- Beauty and the Beast (love breaks a curse)
- Groundhog Day (learning to live a better life)
Do These Plots Help or Hinder Writers?
When it comes to storytelling, the 7 basic plots can be both a blessing and a challenge.
How They Help Writers
- Familiar Framework. These plots provide a reliable starting point for your story. It helps you focus on other elements, like characters, dialogue, or world-building. For new writers especially, having a structure to lean on can be invaluable.
- Universal Appeal. They reflect universal human experiences. Readers instinctively connect with these archetypal journeys.
- Simplicity. Feeling stuck? Identify the core of your story. Realizing your story is about rebirth might inspire you to include moments of transformation to create emotional impact.
- Timelessness. These plots have stood the test of time. They prove that storytelling doesn’t need to be groundbreaking in structure to be impactful.
How They Hinder Writers
- Predictability. The biggest danger of relying on these plots is falling into clichés. If you follow these plots too rigidly, your story might feel overly familiar and fail to surprise readers.
- Creativity Blocks. For some writers, the idea that every story fits into one of these seven categories can feel limiting. It’s easy to worry that your story lacks originality or that you’re just rehashing a template. This mindset can stifle creativity and discourage experimentation.
- Over-Simplification. While these plots offer a high-level framework, real stories are complex and multifaceted. Reducing a narrative to just its core plot risks overlooking the nuances that make a story memorable.
Tips to Make Them Your Own
Here are some ways you can turn a basic plot into an original, and multilayered story.
Blend them.
Why stick to only one? No story is ever simple. Combine plots to add depth and create space for other story developments.
Subvert expectations.
Add a twist or approach your story from a different angle. What if the monster is misunderstood? What if it was your protagonist all along?
A sudden and justified reversal gives readers a rush. It’s a “whoa!” moment that instantly re-contextualizes the story. You’ll make them think, “Why did I not see that?!”
Focus on characters.
Complex characters turn simple plots into exhilarating pieces. A well-crafted character breathes life into a plot, giving readers someone to root for, relate to, or even despise.
Your readers shouldn’t simply be following a sequence of events. Make them experience the story through the eyes of a believable character.
Experiment with the setting.
Place your plot in an unexpected context. Explore how this context changes things for the story. For instance, setting your narrative in space could introduce unique challenges. How might the confined quarters of a spacecraft impact relationships or test the crew’s mental resilience?
Final Thoughts
Whether all stories truly boil down to these seven plots is a topic of debate. Booker has been praised for his insight into storytelling’s universal patterns but has also faced criticism for its oversimplification.
The 7 basic plots are timeless—but they’re not a guaranteed success. A great story requires more than just a solid plot—it needs compelling characters, an authentic voice, and a perspective that sets it apart.
Ultimately, these plots are tools, not rules. They can inspire your creativity, help you find direction, and bring clarity to your storytelling process. But the magic of your story lies in how you make it your own.
Which basic plot is your favorite? Share your thoughts below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- Plot Armor: What It Is and How to Believably Protect Your Characters
- Using the Mice Quotient to Plot Your Novel
- Subplots: How to Add Complexity to Your Story
- Plot Holes: What They Are and How to Avoid Them
Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
