7 Basic Plots Plot Study

The Writer’s Creed On my honor, I will do my best to create havoc on every page and to leave neither peace nor happiness in my wake; To cause problems at every opportunity; To abuse characters I love, always aspire to the worst, and sleep unburdened at night.

What This Means Keep characters in the dark Betray characters Be a troublemaker Begrudge happiness Take glee out of humiliation Challenge characters’ beliefs

Create Trouble on Every Page —Clint Johnson

Plot Structures

The One

Mountain Plot Map

Mountain Plot Map: FMAB Example Want to get bodies back Find out about big trans. circle Promised Day Get bodies back Life goes on

W-Plot Map W Trigger Event Setting Up Problem 1 st Turning Point2 nd Turning Point Recovering from Problem 2 nd Triggering Event Resolving Resolution Deepening Problem

W-Plot Map: FMAB Example W Loss of bodies Search for Philosopher’s Stone Find out stone uses human souls Anti-transmutation circle Search for alternate means; Eastern Alchemy Nationwide transmutation circle Promised Day Get bodies back Don’t know what to do; group is split up

Conflicts

Central Conflicts Human vs. Human Human vs. Nature Human vs. God Human vs. Society Human vs. Himself Human vs. Magic Force

Subplots Add interest Develop minor characters Make smaller points Add to message

Theme vs. Message Theme General principle of story Can apply to anything Message Example of theme in action Specific to story

Theme vs. Message Example: FMAB Theme: One is all, all is one (i.e., everything has a place and is connected) Message: One cannot rise above his/her place

7 Plot Types

Basics Anticipation Dream Frustration Nightmare Redemption

The Quest Protagonist & Co. acquire important object or get to a location, facing many obstacles along the way. The CallThe JourneyArrival/FrustrationFinal OrdealsThe Goal

The Quest Examples: Lord of the Rings One Piece Legend of Zelda Fullmetal Alchemist (beginning)

Overcoming the Monster Protagonist sets out to challenge the antagonistic force that threatens him/her and/or his/her homeland. The CallInitial SuccessConfrontationFinal Ordeal Miraculous Escape/Monster Death

Overcoming the Monster Examples: Perseus Fullmetal Alchemist Fate/Stay Night Avatar: the Last Airbender

Voyage and Return Protagonist goes to a strange land, faces obstacles, and returns with nothing but experience. Anticipation Stage Initial Fascination Frustration Nightmare Stage Escape/Return

Voyage and Return Examples: Alice in Wonderland Odyssey Spirited Away The Hobbit

Rags to Riches Protagonist gains power, wealth, etc., loses it all, and gains it back upon growing as a person. WretchednessOut in WorldCrisisIndependenceCompletion

Rags to Riches Examples: Cinderella Axis Powers: Hetalia (Liechtenstein) Magi: Kingdom of Magic (Alibaba)

Comedy Light hearted story with a cheerful ending. BeginningMeetings Shadow of Confusion It Gets Worse Confusion is Lifted

Comedy Examples: Baka and Test Twelfth Night Midsummer Night’s Dream Ouran Highschool Host Club

Tragedy Protagonist is a villain who falls from grace and whose death is a celebrated event. AnticipationDreamFrustrationNightmare Destruction/Death Wish

Tragedy Examples: Death Note Macbeth Hamlet Julius Caesar

Rebirth During the story, events and obstacles force the main character to change his/her ways, often for the better. InfluenceThreat RecedesThreat Returns“Triumph”Redemption/Rebirth

Rebirth Examples: Despicable Me A Christmas Carol Megamind The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

Now YOU Try It! …Using the following tips. Believe in yourself.

Basic Classic Structure ExpositionThreshold Rising Action DepthsClimaxResolution

Creating One: Exposition Set stage Meet main character(s) Background info Inciting incident/problem arises

Creating One: Rising Action Main character(s) are off on journey Begin to solve/deal with problem Possibly subplot time Maybe splash around a bit

Creating One: Challenge 1 Find out that problem is not actually the issue Maybe fight something/encounter immediate issue Usually lose battle/barely come out

Creating One: More Rising Action Recover from Challenge 1 Go on to continue to fix problem/real issue Pick up new companion More subplot time Prepare for climax

Creating One: Challenge 2 Characters may or may not be anticipating Can arise from subplot/plot twist Optional

Creating One: Climax Final fight/showdown Characters usually must give it their all Usually beat villain/main conflict

Creating One: The Eagles Usually called Resolution May also have “Elixir” before/after All loose ends are tied up Everyone is happy (unless it’s a dark story)

Classify In the space provided, classify favorite anime plot as one of the seven plot types covered. In the other spaces, identify the plot’s theme and message Sketch a basic plot map in the space provided

Links More plot type info: Subplot info: More detailed subplot info: Complete plot/story tips: Planning a plot in 8 steps: Plot twist help: Theme vs. Message: Writer’s Creed