20 Master Plots: And How To Build Them -

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

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) 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 ). : The protagonist is usually unjustly imprisoned and

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

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

: Two characters of comparable strength compete for the same goal or object (e.g., Ben-Hur ).