All stories can be sufficiently put into a few categories. As with many attempts to categorize, there are different and sometimes conflicting versions.
I have taken the liberty of setting the different categorizations together in one Plot Tree. Keep in mind that this is boiled down and doesn’t attempt to represent variations of the same plot, there are thousands of such examples on various sites (listed in sources). I am not claiming this as original work.
Discussion is welcomed.
Plots
At the most basic level, all plots are representation of conflict.
1. Overcoming — defeating a force that threatens.
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[wo]man vs. nature
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[wo]man vs. [wo]man
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[wo]man vs. the environment
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[wo]man vs. machines/technology
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[wo]man vs. the supernatural
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[wo]man vs. self
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[wo]man vs. god/religion
2. Quest — a group goes on a search for something and most often find it.
3. Journey (and Return) — the hero goes somewhere and comes back changed, usually for the better.
4. Comedy – not meaning funny. A misunderstanding drives two people or groups apart at the climax the conflict is resolved and the group or two people come back together.
5. Tragedy – a temptation drives a person down until they die.
6. Rebirth – the main character is oppressed by something until reaching a point at which they change.
7. Rags to Riches
Sources
http://www.answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=210539
Seven Basic Plots. Christopher Booker.
Foster-Harris. The Basic Patterns of Plot. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1959.
http://www.ipl.org/div/farq/plotFARQ.html
http://www.sff.net/people/julia.west/CALLIHOO/ideagen2.htm
http://www.io.com/~sjohn/plots.htm
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