These plots prioritize the "what happens next" over internal character shifts.
: 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 an antagonist, often involving a character triangle (e.g., The Searchers ). 20 Master Plots: And How to Build Them
These plots center on how characters change, grow, or deteriorate. 20 Master Plots: And How to Build Them by Ronald B. Tobias
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) These plots prioritize the "what happens next" over
: A mystery or "whodunit" where the protagonist must solve a puzzle or uncover a hidden meaning (e.g., Agatha Christie stories ).
In his book Ronald B. Tobias argues that while there are millions of stories, there are only twenty basic plot structures that serve as the "bread and butter" of Western storytelling. He categorizes these plots into two main types: Action Plots , which focus on external events and physical movement, and Plots of the Mind , which focus on internal character development and psychological change. The 20 Master Plots 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 ).