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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/910
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Writer's Digest [lists all 20 plots](http://www.writersdigest.com/writing-articles/by-writing-goal/write-first-chapter-get-started/20-master-plots-exclusive). That's all there are. If you find a story, it will use one (or several of them) but for many centuries, this list hasn't changed.

For example, the nanobot story mentioned by Claudiu has the same basic plot as [Golem](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golem) (16th century) or [Frankenstein's monster](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankenstein's_monster) (1818) or [Icarus](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icarus) (ancient greeks). There are minor differences (Golem doesn't fall into love, for example) but at the core. From the list, that's plot #10 TEMPTATION and #18 WRETCHED EXCESS and a bit of #20 DECENSION.

Here is the list (in case the link breaks again):

1. Quest - Character has a specific goal
2. Adventure - Focus on the journey instead of the goal
3. Pursuit - Focus on the chase
4. Rescue - Focus on the action
5. Escape - Focus on getting out of something instead of getting somewhere specific
6. Revenge
7. Riddle - There is a conflict between what happens and what seems to have happened.
8. Rivalry - The irresistable force meets the immovable object, i.e. both sides should have the same power.
9. Underdog - Like rivalry but with a mismatch in power.
10. Temptation - Examines motives, needs and impulses of the character
11. Metamorphosis - One important aspect changes. Think of the old tales about people getting cursed and saved by love.
12. Transformation - The main character changes, evolves, matures in many ways.
13. Maturation - Confused, unclear character becomes sound, resolute, reliable. Basis for many stories which show how a child becomes an adult.
14. Love - You want it but you can't have it.
15. Forbidden Love - Like love but others don't want you to have it.
16. Sacrifice - Character achieves goal at great personal cost.
17. Discovery - Plot about making a great discovery. Similar to adventure (the journey is the goal).
18. Wretched Excess - Watch a character undo itself.
19. Ascension - Character solves a moral dilemma in a positive way.
20. Descension - Character tries to solve a moral dilemma and fails.

Related:

- [The Seven Basic Plots](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Seven_Basic_Plots)
- [Types of Plots](http://www.dailywritingtips.com/types-of-plots/)
- [The Thirty-Six Dramatic Situations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thirty-Six_Dramatic_Situations)

Original score: 16