The+seven+(or+eight)+basic+plots

= back to home > Digital Storytelling Workshop > What's in a story? = =**The seven (or eight) basic plots**=

**The Quest**

Lord of the Rings, Raders of the Lost Ark, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn 1 - the call, 2 - the journey, 3 - arrival, 4 - ordeals, 5 - the goal

**Voyage and Return**
Alice in Wonderland, The wizard of Oz, On the Road 1 - the new world, 2 - discovery, 3 - difficulty, 4 - nightmare, 5 - escape/return

**Overcoming the Monster**
James Bond, Jaws, War of the Worlds 1 - the call, 2 - success, 3 - confrontation, 4 - ordeal, 5 - escape/monster's death

**The Monster as Hero**
King Kong, Moby Dick, Terminator The monster is undefeated or misunderstood, &/or the hero becomes the monster

**Rags to Riches**
Cinderalla, My Fair Lady, Jane Eyre 1 - lowly status, 2 - early success, 3 - crisis, 4 - independence, 5 - fullfilment

**Comedy**
Pride & Prejudice, Ten things I hate about you, About a boy Confusion/uncertainty > clarity/union

**Tragedy**
Titanic, Romeo and Juliet, Frankenstein 1 - Hope, 2 - dreams, 3 - frustrations, 4 - nightmare, 5 - destruction

**Rebirth**
Harry Potter, The Secret Garden, Robinson Crusoe darkness > light / coldness > warmth / despair > hope / ignorance > awakening

Further reading The Seven Basic Plots (Why we tell stories) by Christpher Booker