February 20, 2023
February 20, 2023
According to the book Made to Stick, the authors mention that there are three basic plots in most stories. They mention that these three plots can be used to classify more than 80% of all stories.
The key element of the Challenge Plot is that there are obstacles in front of the protagonist that seem daunting to them. The story of David vs Goliath is the classic example. There are many variations of the Challenge Plot – the underdog story, rag-to-riches stories and the triumph of willpower over adversity.
These kinds of stories appeal to out perseverance and courage. They inspire us to work harder, take on new challenges and overcome obstacles. Eg. The Pursuit of Happyness, Castaway
The Connection Plot is based on stories about people who develop a relationship that bridges a gap – racial, class, ethnic, religious, demographic or otherwise. These stories are about our relationships with other people. Eg. Hachi: A Dog's Tale, Highway (Bollywood)
The Creativity Plot involves someone making a mental breakthrough, solving a long standing puzzle or attacking a problem in an innovative way. Eg. The Imitation Game
There are some other theories on such categorisation as well. Aristotle believed there were four primary dramatic plots: Simple Tragic, Simple Fortunate, Complex Tragic and Complex Fortunate. Robert McKee, a screenwriting guru, lists 25 types of stories.
