SEVEN MAJOR TYPES OF PLOT

The Journey or Quest: This involves a person in pursuit of an ideal, an object, a person, or self-discovery. Major associated images are roads and rivers. There are usually four main stages: the preparation, the actual journey, the discovery or accomplishment of the quest, and the transformation as a result of the accomplishment.

The Love Plot: This may be simply boy meets girls, etc., or the love triangle, or a disappointed lover's revenge. This is such a standard that the trick is to create or recognize some special or unique twist. Everything does not always conclude "happily ever after."

Hero versus Villain: again a classic pattern (also expressed in more literary terms as protagonist versus antagonist). Typically, the villain seems at first to be more powerful and even to be triumphing over the hero, but the hero wins this conflict.

Person(s) versus Nature: This can be the story of a single person's battle with Nature or the battle of a whole population against the forces or elements of Nature such as in a hurricane or earthquake situation. Typically, the human being survives, or some human beings survive, but there are scars left from the encounter.

Race against another Person: This is somewhat similar to hero versus villain, but it may be more in the form of a competition of equals towards a goal. Both characters may be "good" people, but one's aims may be more praiseworthy than the other's.

Race against Time: In this type of plot, time is the enemy. Such plots may involve a kidnapping, or a dangerous situation where time is a factor, or even a sports event.

The Outcast or The "Lost" Child: This plot is a classic, eg. The Ugly Duckling, Beauty and the Beast, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Outsiders. It involves a person trying to find his/her place, coming to terms with his/her being. There are many grief-causing incidents with, usually, an ultimately satisfying conclusion during which the central figure finds or reaches acceptance.