20 Master Plots: And How To Build Them -

: A hero must save a victim from an antagonist, often involving a character triangle (e.g., The Searchers ).

: Similar to rivalry, but the hero faces overwhelming odds or a much more powerful opponent (e.g., Joan of Arc ). Plots of the Mind (Internal Focus) 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 ). : A hero must save a victim from

: A mystery or "whodunit" where the protagonist must solve a puzzle or uncover a hidden meaning (e.g., Agatha Christie stories ). : A mystery or "whodunit" where the protagonist

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

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

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