six basic plots

The six basic plots are structures that stories often follow: "Overcoming the Monster" involves a hero facing and defeating a powerful threat; "Rags to Riches" depicts a character’s journey from hardship to success; "The Quest" is about a pursuit for a treasure or goal, requiring challenges to be overcome; "Voyage and Return" involves a character exploring new worlds or perspectives and then returning changed; "Comedy" features humorous misunderstandings leading to a happy ending; "Tragedy" follows a character's downfall due to flaws or fate, ending in suffering or death. These arcs reveal common themes in storytelling about conflict, growth, and resolution.