20 Master Plots: And How To Build Them [RECOMMENDED]

These plots prioritize the "what happens next" over internal character shifts.

: A mystery or "whodunit" where the protagonist must solve a puzzle or uncover a hidden meaning (e.g., Agatha Christie stories ). 20 Master Plots: And How to Build Them

: The protagonist is usually unjustly imprisoned and must find a way to break free (e.g., The Great Escape ). These plots prioritize the "what happens next" over

: A "hide-and-seek" story centered on a chase, where one character pursues another (e.g., Jaws , Duel ). : A "hide-and-seek" story centered on a chase,

These plots center on how characters change, grow, or deteriorate. 20 Master Plots: And How to Build Them by Ronald B. Tobias

: A story fueled by moral outrage where a character seeks retribution for a past injury (e.g., Hamlet , Death Wish ).

In his book Ronald B. Tobias argues that while there are millions of stories, there are only twenty basic plot structures that serve as the "bread and butter" of Western storytelling. He categorizes these plots into two main types: Action Plots , which focus on external events and physical movement, and Plots of the Mind , which focus on internal character development and psychological change. The 20 Master Plots