20 Master Plots: And How To Build Them (2024)

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

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

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

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

Tobias breaks down each plot into a three-act structure—Setup, Complication, and Resolution—providing specific checklists and examples from literature and film to help writers build their own versions. Action Plots (External Focus)