Every author strives for originality. However, anyone who has ever tried to come up with a ‘new’ plot will know that it is not easy. Every plot seems to have been done before. Is it impossible to come up with something truly original or is it a challenge worth pursuing?
[Related Article] – Creativity in the Classroom – Practice makes perfect
Seven distinct story types
According to Christopher Booker, in The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories, every story follows one of seven universal plot lines:
- Overcoming the Monster
- Rags to Riches
- Voyage and Return
- The Quest
Some stories may vary slightly from these basic plot lines or combine multiple plot lines, but they still bear the hallmarks of these seven overarching themes. To download a summary of the seven story types with some examples from children’s literature click on the related download link below.
[Related Download] – Completed Narrative Story Graphs
One basic story structure
- Sizzling Start™ – start with an action scene or at a moment of change.
- Back fill – the Who, What, Why is filled in as the story unfolds.
- Gradual build-up of tension – pebble, rock, boulder.
- Action climax – the main character almost fails, but triumphs against all odds.
- Character resolution – the character’s inner story is wrapped up.
This basic structure is covered in more detail in the related article, ‘Narratives – the patterns that authors use’ (see related article link below).
To demonstrate how the seven universal story types, tie in with the basic story structure, two example picture books have been plotted on the Story Graph template. To download the completed Narrative Story Graphs click on the image of the completed Story Graph.
[Related Article] – Narratives – the pattern that authors use
Don’t reinvent the wheel
While being faced with such limited options may seem to hinder creativity, in the quest for originality writers can use it to their advantage. Rather that wasting time reinventing the wheel, great writers put a new spin on tried and tested plot lines and structures.
Encourage students to do the same by familiarising them with the seven plot types and the Narrative Story Graph (see related download link below). Switching the focus from the basic plot line and structure to the actual content of the story will increase the alpha brain waves which boost students’ creativity. As the saying goes, knowledge is power.
[Related Download] – Narrative Story Graph template
To read the related Education Matters articles click on the links below:
For more examples of completed story graphs click on the following link: www.sevenstepswriting.com/download/picture-books-follow-story-graph/.