Example: Simple Plot
Simple Plot and a Random Story Generator explained by Ron Kurtus. In a typical plot, there is the protagonist--who is the hero or heroine of the story--and the antagonist or villain. There is also often a bystander or victim of the villain.

Consider the following very simple plot:

• A person sees a villain do something bad to an innocent bystander. This is a problem, dilemma or conflict for the person.
• He or she tries to stop the villain, but the villain seems to escape. This is a point of tension, because of the possibility of failure.
• The protagonist then makes a valiant effort and catches the villain.
• The victim is grateful and rewards the protagonist.

By changing names, descriptions and actions, he creates a software program that generates variety of stories for this simple plot.

Example: Story Structure
Joseph Campbell's so-called "hero's journey" told by John Savage is another common proposal as the "paradigmatic story structure." Campbell's theory has been expressed in a number of ways; here's one representative version:

• The hero is confronted with a challenge,
• rejects it,
• but then is forced (or allowed) to accept it.
• He travels on the road of trials,
• gathering powers and allies, and
• confronts evil only to be defeated.
• This leads to a dark night of the soul, after which
• the hero makes a leap of faith that allows him to
• confront evil again and be victorious.
• Finally, the student becomes the teacher.