The document discusses different theories on the basic plots in storytelling. It outlines both the seven basic plots involving man against various forces of nature, other men, technology etc. It also describes seven basic needs for a storyline involving a hero, their flaw, circumstances, opponent, ally, life-changing event and jeopardy. An alternative view of the seven basic plots involves overcoming a monster, quests, journeys, comedies, tragedies, rebirth and rising from rags to riches. The document provides an overview of common plot structures used in narratives.

1. Hands on.Hands on.
Media.Media.
Training.Training.

2. Concept and Story DevelopmentConcept and Story Development
A brief overview of theA brief overview of the
7 Basic Plots7 Basic Plots
(and their many manifestations)(and their many manifestations)

3. THE SEVEN BASIC PLOTSTHE SEVEN BASIC PLOTS
 1 - [wo]man vs. nature1 - [wo]man vs. nature
 2 - [wo]man vs. man2 - [wo]man vs. man
 3 - [wo]man vs. the environment3 - [wo]man vs. the environment
 4 - [wo]man vs. machines/technology4 - [wo]man vs. machines/technology
 5 - [wo]man vs. the supernatural5 - [wo]man vs. the supernatural
 6 - [wo]man vs. self6 - [wo]man vs. self
 7 - [wo]man vs. god/religion7 - [wo]man vs. god/religion

4. And….And….
There are also claims made that thereThere are also claims made that there
areare
seven basic needs to aseven basic needs to a
storylinestoryline..

5. seven basic needs to a storylineseven basic needs to a storyline
 1. A hero – the person through1. A hero – the person through
whose eyes we see the story unfold,whose eyes we see the story unfold,
set against a larger background.set against a larger background.
 2. The hero’s character flaw – a2. The hero’s character flaw – a
weakness or defense mechanismweakness or defense mechanism
that hinders the hero in such a waythat hinders the hero in such a way
as to render him/her incomplete.as to render him/her incomplete.

6. seven basic needs to a storylineseven basic needs to a storyline
 3. Enabling circumstances – the surroundings the3. Enabling circumstances – the surroundings the
hero is in at the beginning of the story, whichhero is in at the beginning of the story, which
allow the hero to maintain his/her character flaw.allow the hero to maintain his/her character flaw.
 4. An opponent – someone who opposes the hero4. An opponent – someone who opposes the hero
in getting or doing what he/she wants. Notin getting or doing what he/she wants. Not
always a villain. For example, in a romanticalways a villain. For example, in a romantic
comedy, the opponent could be the man orcomedy, the opponent could be the man or
woman whom the hero seeks romance with. Thewoman whom the hero seeks romance with. The
opponent is the person who instigates the life-opponent is the person who instigates the life-
changing event.changing event.

7. seven basic needs to a storylineseven basic needs to a storyline
 5. The hero’s ally – the person who spends5. The hero’s ally – the person who spends
the most time with the heroand who helpsthe most time with the heroand who helps
the hero overcome his/her character flaw.the hero overcome his/her character flaw.
 6. The life-changing event – a challenge,6. The life-changing event – a challenge,
threat or opportunity usually instigated bythreat or opportunity usually instigated by
the opponent, which forces the hero tothe opponent, which forces the hero to
respond in some way that’s related to therespond in some way that’s related to the
hero’s flaw.hero’s flaw.

8. seven basic needs to a storylineseven basic needs to a storyline
 7. Jeopardy – the high stakes that7. Jeopardy – the high stakes that
the hero must risk to overcomethe hero must risk to overcome
his/her flaw. These are the dramatichis/her flaw. These are the dramatic
events that lend excitement andevents that lend excitement and
challenge to the quest.challenge to the quest.

9. But…..But…..
There is anotherThere is another
point of view on thepoint of view on the
7 basic plots….7 basic plots….

10. 7 basic plots7 basic plots
1.Overcoming the monster --1.Overcoming the monster --
defeating some force whichdefeating some force which
threatens...e.g. most Hollywoodthreatens...e.g. most Hollywood
movies; Star Wars, James Bond.movies; Star Wars, James Bond.

11. 2. The Quest -- typically a group setoff2. The Quest -- typically a group setoff
in search of something andin search of something and
(usually) find it. e.g. Watership(usually) find it. e.g. Watership
Down, Pilgrim's Progress.Down, Pilgrim's Progress.

12. 3. Journey and Return -- the hero3. Journey and Return -- the hero
journeys away from home tojourneys away from home to
somewhere different and finallysomewhere different and finally
comes back having experiencedcomes back having experienced
something and maybe changed forsomething and maybe changed for
the better. e.g. Wizard of Oz,the better. e.g. Wizard of Oz,
Gullivers Travels.Gullivers Travels.

13. 7 basic plots7 basic plots
4. Comedy - not necessarily a funny4. Comedy - not necessarily a funny
plot. Some kind of misunderstandingplot. Some kind of misunderstanding
or ignorance is created that keepsor ignorance is created that keeps
parties apart which is resolvedparties apart which is resolved
towards the end bringing them backtowards the end bringing them back
together. e.g. Bridget Jones Diary,together. e.g. Bridget Jones Diary,
War and Peace.War and Peace.

14. 7 basic plots7 basic plots
5. Tragedy - Someone is tempted in5. Tragedy - Someone is tempted in
some way, vanity, greed etc andsome way, vanity, greed etc and
becomes increasingly desperate orbecomes increasingly desperate or
trapped by their actions until at atrapped by their actions until at a
climax they usually die. Unless it's aclimax they usually die. Unless it's a
Hollywood movie, when they escapeHollywood movie, when they escape
to a happy ending. e.g. Devils'to a happy ending. e.g. Devils'
Advocate, Hamlet.Advocate, Hamlet.

15. 7 basic plots7 basic plots
6. Rebirth - hero is captured or6. Rebirth - hero is captured or
oppressed and seems to be in a stateoppressed and seems to be in a state
of living death until it seems all isof living death until it seems all is
lost when miraculously they arelost when miraculously they are
freed. e.g. Snow White.freed. e.g. Snow White.

16. 7 basic plots7 basic plots
7. Rags to Riches - self explanatory7. Rags to Riches - self explanatory
really. e.g. Cinderella & derivativesreally. e.g. Cinderella & derivatives
(all 27,000 of them)!!!(all 27,000 of them)!!!

17. Concept and Story DevelopmentConcept and Story Development
A brief overview of theA brief overview of the
7 Basic Plots7 Basic Plots
(and their many manifestations)(and their many manifestations)

18. Hands on.Hands on.
Media.Media.
Training.Training.