How many basic plot patterns are there in literature?
Depends on whom you ask.
Some scholars say three. Others list twenty. Georges Polti charted thirty-six dramatic situations. Kurt Vonnegut famously sketched a single narrative “shape” on a chalkboard. And Christopher Booker, in his epic book The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories, organizes all stories into seven timeless categories.
While we won’t settle the debate here, we will explore the seven plot types Booker proposes—and use them to build student-friendly tools that make narrative structure more visible, relatable, and teachable.
What This Series Helps Students Do
This blog series is all about giving students the tools to:
- see how stories are structured and why that matters
- spot the patterns that drive plot development
- dig deeper into characters and conflicts
- strengthen their comprehension, writing, and classroom discussions
Whether you’re teaching The Lightning Thief, Esperanza Rising, or Wonder, your students will start to see stories as structured journeys—each with its own rhythm, stakes, and payoff.
📚 What Are the Seven Basic Plot Patterns in Literature?
Each post in the series explores one of Booker’s seven structures using familiar texts, classroom activities, and printable organizers:
| Plot Type | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Overcoming the Monster | a hero faces and defeats a powerful threat | Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling, Shrek by William Steig |
| Rags to Riches | a poor protagonist rises—then faces a loss and transformation | Cinderella by Charles Perrault, Aladdin by Antoine Galland (adapted), Matilda by Roald Dahl, Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis |
| The Quest | a journey toward a goal with trials along the way | Percy Jackson and the Olympians (The Lightning Thief) by Rick Riordan, The Giver by Lois Lowry, Holes by Louis Sachar |
| Voyage and Return | a character ventures out, grows, and returns changed | The Wild Robot by Peter Brown, The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo |
| Comedy | misunderstandings and obstacles resolved in a happy ending | Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine, Toy Story by John Lasseter (film) |
| Tragedy | the downfall of the protagonist due to flaws or fate | Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson, The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton |
| Rebirth | a dark moment transforms a character into someone new | A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, Auggie & Me by R.J. Palacio, The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate |
The Handout
Each post will also include:
- discussion questions for deeper analysis
- examples from children’s and YA literature
- defined terms and genre-specific structures
- a printable organizer to help students map the plot
- a booklet-style cover to use as a year-round reference
Teaching plot patterns isn’t just about checking a standard—it’s about helping students become stronger readers and writers. When students understand how stories are built, everything starts to click.
- It boosts comprehension by helping students follow the flow of events
- It supports writing by showing how to build a story from conflict to resolution
- It deepens understanding of theme and character development
- And yes—it hits key Common Core standards, including:
RL.4.2, RL.4.3, RL.4.5, RL.5.2, RL.5.3, RL.5.5, RL.6.2, RL.6.3, RL.6.5
Kick Things Off
Ready to dive in? Start with the Overcoming the Monster post—or download the introductory handout, which includes:
- links to all seven plot posts
- a booklet cover for students
- extra resources for teaching plot patterns
👉 Grab the free handout here »
📚 A Literary Spark
“A story helps us remember what we didn’t know we had forgotten.”
—E. L. Konigsburg, The View from Saturday
Jump to the plot you are interested in using these links.
