There is an interesting theory that says all plots follow the same structure, this is sometimes referred to as the seven point arc.
I've tried to do some research into this but cannot find references to it on the internet. Does anybody have any information about this theory or where I can find information about it?
What I know already about this theory is the 'standard' story structure has 7 stages:
Stasis (the starting situation)
Upset to statis (something happens, often 'bad')
Quest (what the main character has to do to make things better)
Barrier (something stops him from achieving his quests)
Decision (the main character must look to himself and make a big decision, often a character changing one)
Climax (not just any piece of action, must be followed by reversal)
Reversal (the 'bad' situation is turned around)
For example, take a James Bond story
Stasis - the world as it is today
Upset to statis - criminal mastermind threatens to destory the world.
Quest - James Bond must save the world by detstroying the criminal
Barrier - Many: the criminal is on a well guarded island, for example.
Decision - not applicable to JB stories, because his character doesn't change nor does he in any way examine his character.
Climax - big fight
Reversal - he destroys the criminal's headquarters.
