20 Master Plots: And How To Build Them ✦ Fast

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 ).

: A hero must save a victim from an antagonist, often involving a character triangle (e.g., The Searchers ). 20 Master Plots: And How to Build Them

: The protagonist leaves home in search of fortune or a mission; the journey itself is the focus (e.g., Raiders of the Lost Ark ).

: 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) These plots center on how characters change, grow,

: The protagonist is usually unjustly imprisoned and must find a way to break free (e.g., The Great Escape ).

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

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