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I saw this in another answer

there are considered to be only seven or so actual plots anyway

Is this true? Is it like plots are generalized into a couple of types or forms? Where can I read more about this?

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3 Answers 3

up vote 5 down vote accepted

It is true to a point. As you suggest, they are generalized form encapsulations of conflict. In other words, they are archetypes. Similarly, you will hear folks say there are only 32 plots at times, too. The number varies. Often one will be more popular than others for a while.

Understanding them can be helpful at times if you're studying story and story story structure.

Wikipedia has a nice summary of the seven basic plots. The resources and external links at the bottom might lead to other helpful articles. I didn't follow them.

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I have written several stories that fall into none of the seven categories. –  what Apr 24 at 14:29

When I took an SF writing class from Joe Haldeman, he said there was only one basic plot: Trouble.

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There are books without trouble. I have this children's book that shows two characters baking a cake. No trouble. But a plot. –  what Apr 26 at 17:17
In that book, the trouble is that the children are hungry and have no cake. :-) –  Seth Gordon Apr 28 at 15:25

This site has lists of 3,7,20, and 36 respectively


I will post the list of 7 here:

"7 basic plots as remembered from second grade by IPL volunteer librarian Jessamyn West:

[wo]man vs. nature [wo]man vs. [wo]man [wo]man vs. the environment [wo]man vs. machines/technology [wo]man vs. the supernatural [wo]man vs. self [wo]man vs. god/religion"

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How about animal fables? No [wo]man in those, still have plot. –  what Apr 26 at 17:18

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