Do you think that the common plots are Comedy and Tragedy?
Think again.

All sorts of list exist that talk about the number of universal plots. One list had 36, which seemed awfully high for universal plots. Seven seems to be a popular number for universal plot lists, so I developed my own list of 7 universal plots. Originally, my list was written as Man versus Death, Man versus Jerry O'Connell and so forth. However, in the interest of not being a noun misogynist, I revised the list.

1. Individual Walks Dog: Individual walks his dog or someone else's dog.
2. Individual vs Jerry O'Connell: Individual tries to do something. Jerry O' Connell succeeds or fails in preventing Individual from doing it.
3. Jerry O'Connell vs Individual: Jerry O'Connell tries to do something. Individual succeeds or fails in preventing Jerry O'Connell form doing it.
4. Individual versus Death: Individual is in danger. Individual dies or doesn't die.
5. Individual versus the Hive Mind Collective: Individual struggles against conformity and with a mindless zealousness to maintain his individuality at all costs, screwing everyone else in the process.
6. Individual versus Myth: Individual struggles to be somebody. Man succumbs to suburban life or becomes an action hero.
7. Individual versus the Unknown: Individual makes a grand discovery. Or not.

If you are more being politically incorrect is your way of being politically correct, then reread the list, substituting Man for individual.

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