The Seven Basic Plots (by Christopher Booker)

Christopher Booker’s "The Seven Basic Plots" identifies common narrative structures that appear across stories worldwide. These are: Overcoming the Monster (a hero faces a great evil), Rags to Riches (rise from humble beginnings to greatness), The Quest (embarking on a journey to find something), Voyage and Return (exploring a strange world and returning wiser), Comedy (conflicts leading to humor and resolution), Tragedy (a downfall due to flaw or fate), and Rebirth (transformation after a crisis). These frameworks help us understand storytelling's core patterns, resonating because they reflect universal human experiences and psychological truths.