Basic Plot Types
and
Archetypes
Plot Structure
Based Upon Conflict
(wo)man v. (wo)man
(wo)man v. nature
(wo)man v. self
(wo)man v. the environment/society
(wo)man v. machine/technology
(wo)man v. the supernatural
(wo)man v. god/religion
Basic Story Types
Based Upon Situation
Quest
Adventure
Pursuit
Rescue
Escape
Revenge
Riddle
Rivalry
Underdog
Temptation
Metamorphosis
Transformation
Maturation
Love
Forbidden Love
Sacrifice
Discovery
Wretched Excess
Ascension
Descension
Archetype
Symbolic Figures
The original pattern or model from which all
things of the same kind are copied or on
which they are based.
A collectively inherited unconscious idea,
pattern of thought, image, etc., that has
universal relevance.
Synonyms for Archetype
Classic exemplar
Form
Ideal
Model
Original
Paradigm
Pattern
Perfect Specimen
Prime example
Prototype
Standard
Traditional Archetypes in
Literature
The Hero
The Innocent
The Father/Mother The Alter Ego/Double
Figure
Wise Old
The Fatal
(Wo)Man/Animal
Woman/Temptress
The Trickster/Fool
The Witch
The Underdog
Monster/Villain
The Hero
A larger-than-life character that
often goes on some kind of
journey or quest. In the course
of his journey, the hero
demonstrates the qualities and
abilities valued by his culture
The Mother/Father Figure
Father - The protector and leader
Mother - The protective nurturer
and gentle provider
The Fatal Woman/Temptress
A woman who uses her power
(intellect, magic, or most of all,
beauty) to make men, especially
the Hero, weak
The Witch
A woman, often a hag (though
she may be disguised as a
beautiful young woman), who
attempts to trap and destroy the
protagonist
Monster/Villain
The antagonist,
especially in
opposition to the
hero
The Innocent
An inexperienced
male or female
character that is
exposed to the
evils in the world
The Alter Ego/Double
Reveals the dual nature of man
The Wise Old (Wo)Man/Animal
Characters that assist or guide
the protagonist
The Trickster/Fool
Characters who trick others to
get them to do what s/he wants
– they can be both virtuous and
nefarious
The Underdog
Characters who are always in the
wrong place at the wrong time,
but who usually win something
of value in the end
Traditional Archetypes in
Literature
The Hero
The Innocent
The Father/Mother The Alter Ego/Double
Figure
Wise Old
The Fatal
(Wo)Man/Animal
Woman/Temptress
The Trickster/Fool
The Witch
The Underdog
Monster/Villain
Traditional Archetypes in
Literature and Stories
Situational Archetypes
Character Archetypes
Symbolic Archetypes
Traditional Archetypes in
Literature and Stories
Most stories utilize a combination of
situational, character, and symbolic
archetypes… this is what makes a story
rich and complete. When you like a story,
you are most likely, whether you realize it
or not, tapping into the archetypes
present in the story.