What are the six stories?

The Six Basic Plots That Shape Every Story

Long before complex narratives filled our books and screens, researchers and scholars searched for the core patterns behind storytelling. One compelling study suggests that, at their heart, all stories fall into just six fundamental arcs. These archetypes aren’t just academic curiosities—they echo through the myths, novels, and films we love, revealing why certain tales feel so deeply familiar.

There’s the classic “Rags to Riches”—a steady rise from obscurity to glory, like Cinderella before she faces more trials. Then the heartbreaking reverse: “Riches to Rags,” where prosperity crumbles into loss, the core of tragedy. Think of fallen heroes or empires undone by pride.

More complex are the layered arcs. “Man in a Hole” captures a fall followed by recovery—a misstep, a crisis, then redemption. It’s the backbone of many adventure stories. Opposite is “Icarus”, where ambition soars too high before crashing down. The thrill of success makes the fall all the more devastating.

Then come the intricate paths. The “Cinderella” arc—rise, fall, rise—mirrors resilience: gaining fortune, losing it, then earning it back through courage. It’s uplifting, but fragile. And finally, “Oedipus”: a descent, a brief climb, then final ruin. This tragic rhythm shows how fleeting redemption can be, no matter how hard one fights.

These six blueprints aren’t limitations—they’re proof of storytelling’s timeless rhythm. Whether in ancient epics or modern blockbusters, they shape how we see struggle, triumph, and the messy beauty of the human journey. We keep returning to them not because they’re simple, but because they’re true.