7 Types of Plot
Quest:
This plot involves a character or characters to set off on an adventure to pursue their goal, the quest will test the character/characters with many obstacles to prevent them from achieving their goal. Video games like The Legend of Zelda series is a great example where Link travels across the lands going into quests, which normally involves defeating the evil Ganon and saving Princess Zelda as his goal.
Overcoming the Monster:
This type of plot normally involves a monstrous creature that seems to be unstoppable and there is no way of defeating it, films like The Blob, Godzilla and Jaws fits this plot description. But this plot also means that the character may have a monster or inner demons that involves conflict with one's self. Trainspotting, The Incredible Hulk and Me, Myself & Irene are examples that the plot can revolve on a person's addictions, incidents that changes the character's normality to an imbalance and personal developments.
Tragedy:
In this plot scheme, the main character will probably have to make incredibly hard decisions that may cause an ill fate for the others characters in the story. For example, the Saw films use this type plot where the main character is tested to very limits to make very hard decisions, where family and friend may be involved in a twisted scheme of the antagonist's warped mind games.
Comedy:
Not all comedies are a barrel of laughs, the main characters will confront many obstacles and events that may cause a chain of mishaps and misunderstandings, this type of comedy has been used in many romantic stories. Comedies like Fawlty Towers do have the attributes of the complications and the misunderstandings where the main character tackles one obstacle to another, but we can't help to laugh at Basil Fawlty's extravagant characteristics while he is trying to be serious.
Rebirth:
The protagonist, is imprisoned by an illusion or spell where it affects the main character physically or mentally, until an event that brings the main character back to his/her original state. For example, Anakin Skywalker who was training to become Jedi, have ended up becoming a Sith Lord known as Darth Vader, this was caused by Chancellor Palpatine who manipulated Anakin because he was interested of his promising potential of power, until he was reborn as Anakin once more when Luke was attacked Palpatine in Return of the Jedi.
Rag to Riches:
This type of plot is less used in this day and age, but this plot type is very common in most of the Disney productions. The main character normally starts at the state of being poor, until other character could change the status of our hero/heroine. There is always a drama where the main character will lose his/ her riches and will try to claim it back from the antagonist.
Voyage and Return:
This plot has some similarities with the Quest plot scheme, the protagonist/s will go on a adventure to achieve a goal and then return to the protagonist's home or beginning point, Around The World In 80 Days and The Lord of the Rings are the perfect examples that fits this particular plot type.
5 Types of Conflict
Woman/Man vs. Nature: 2012, Aliens, Jurassic Park and The Day After Tomorrow.
Woman/Man vs. Woman/Man: Lord of the Flies, , Romeo and Juliet and 300.
Woman/Man vs. Machines/Technology: The Terminator, The Matrix, i Robot and Blade Runner.
Woman/Man vs. The Supernatural: The Omen, Poltergeist, Silent Hill and Castlevania.
Woman/Man vs. Self: The Incredible Hulk, Trainspotting, Psychonauts and The Heart of Darkness.
