Narrative Forms: Understanding types of stories in literature

Have you ever wondered why some stories grip you immediately while others leave you cold? Or why certain tales stay with you long after you’ve finished them? The secret lies in understanding the different types of stories in literature and how they’re crafted to affect us.

I’m always amazed by how our simple human experiences can be turned into so many different kinds of stories. Think about the big adventure in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ or the deep look inside one person in ‘Mrs. Dalloway’. Each kind of story gives readers a special feeling or understanding.

In this guide, we’ll explore the rich tapestry of narrative forms that writers have developed over centuries. When you look at stories from the past (like old myths) up to books written now, you will learn how to find, like and even write different kinds of stories.

Types of Stories in Literature: The Fundamental Categories

When we discuss different types of stories, we are looking at the different ways writers arrange and share human experiences. Stories aren’t just entertainment—they’re how we make sense of our world.

As a literature professor once told me, “Stories are the operating system of human culture.” They’re how we pass down values, explore ideas, and connect with each other across time and space.

Let’s dive into the major categories that form the foundation of storytelling:

The Seven Basic Story Types

You’ve probably heard the saying that there are only seven original stories in the world. While that might seem limiting, it’s amazing how these foundational plots can spawn endless variations:

1. Overcoming the Monster: A hero faces a big, dangerous enemy, like in the old story of Beowulf or the movie “Jaws.”
2. Rags to Riches: Someone poor or unknown becomes rich and successful, like Cinderella or the character in “The Great Gatsby.”
3. The Quest: Characters go on a long trip to get something or get somewhere, facing problems on their way (like in “The Odyssey” or “The Hobbit”).
4. Voyage and Return: The main character travels to a strange place, learns something new, and comes back different than before (like Alice in “Alice in Wonderland”).
5. Comedy: These stories often have confusion and mix-ups, but they end happily, like the plays written by Shakespeare.
6. Tragedy: Stories where characters have a sad ending, often because of their own mistakes or bad luck, like Romeo and Juliet.
7. Rebirth: A character changes for the better and finds a new start, like Ebenezer Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol.”

I still remember reading Joseph Campbell’s book, ‘The Hero with a Thousand Faces,’ back in college. I was amazed how the same basic story ideas pop up everywhere, in tales from different places and different times. It’s not that writers are unoriginal—it’s that these story types speak to fundamental human experiences.

The Three Main Categories of Stories

At an even more basic level, we can categorize stories by their core conflicts:

1. Person vs. Person: Characters have problems or fights with other characters (happens a lot in crime books, love stories, and war stories).
2. Person vs. Nature/Society: Characters struggle against nature (like weather or the wilderness) or against rules and problems in society (seen in books like “Into the Wild” or “The Hunger Games”).
3. Person vs. Self: A character struggles with problems inside their own mind or feelings (this is common in stories about a character’s thoughts or about growing up).

These different types of conflict don’t always stay separate. Most complicated stories have parts of all three types, but usually, one type is the main problem.

Fiction vs. Non-Fiction: The Fundamental Divide

The broadest distinction in kinds of stories in literature is between:

Fiction – Invented stories that may contain elements of truth but aren’t strictly factual (novels, short stories, fables, etc.)

Non-Fiction – Accounts based on real events and people (memoirs, biographies, essays, etc.)

Even this division isn’t always clear-cut. Creative non-fiction tells true stories, but it uses writing styles often found in fiction. Historical fiction, on the other hand, puts made-up characters into real historical events.

Story Type	Purpose	Examples
Fiction	Entertainment, metaphorical truth	Novels, short stories, fables
Non-Fiction	Information, literal truth	Memoirs, biographies, essays
Poetry	Emotional expression, linguistic art	Sonnets, epics, free verse
Drama	Performance, dialogue-based storytelling	Plays, screenplays, radio dramas

Genre Fiction vs. Literary Fiction

When browsing a bookstore or online retailer, the most common way types of stories in literature are categorized is by genre:

Genre Fiction

Genre fiction includes stories that follow established conventions and typically focus on plot. These include:

I still remember staying up all night with my first Agatha Christie novel, captivated by the puzzle of “who done it.” Genre fiction (like science fiction, fantasy, or mystery) is often thought of as being too predictable. But the best books in these genres are much more than that. They are great because they have amazing characters or explore deep, important ideas.

Literary Fiction

Literary fiction cares more about the writing style, how the people in the story change, and the main ideas. It cares less about just what happens in the story (the plot). These works often:

• Use more experimental narrative techniques
• Focus on character psychology and inner life
• Explore complex social or philosophical themes
• Feature distinctive prose styles

To illustrate the difference, consider how genre and literary fiction might handle similar material:

Genre Fiction	Literary Fiction
Focuses on resolving a murder mystery	Examines how a death affects a community
Chronicles a love story with clear obstacles	Explores the nature of desire and connection
Shows heroes battling supernatural enemies	Uses fantasy elements as metaphors for human experience

Of course, many works blur these boundaries. Authors like Neil Gaiman, Margaret Atwood, and Haruki Murakami deftly combine genre elements with literary depth.

Story Structures: How Narratives Are Organized

The way a story is structured significantly impacts how readers experience it. Let’s explore some common types of story structures:

The Classic 7-Part Story Structure

This structure, familiar from countless novels and films, includes:

The Hero’s Journey

Popularized by Joseph Campbell, this structure appears in myths worldwide and modern epics like “Star Wars”:

1. Ordinary World – The hero’s normal life
2. Call to Adventure – Something disrupts the status quo
3. Refusal of the Call – Initial reluctance
4. Meeting the Mentor – Gaining guidance
5. Crossing the Threshold – Committing to the adventure
6. Tests, Allies, and Enemies – Challenges that transform the hero
7. Approach – Preparation for the major challenge
8. Ordeal – The central crisis
9. Reward – Achieving the goal
10. The Road Back – Returning to the ordinary world
11. Resurrection – Final test or transformation
12. Return with the Elixir – Bringing back something of value

The Five-Act Structure

Used by Shakespeare and many playwrights:

1. Exposition – Introduction of characters and conflict
2. Rising Action – Development of conflict
3. Climax – Turning point of the story
4. Falling Action – Consequences of the climax
5. Denouement/Resolution – Final outcome

Non-Linear Structures

Not all stories follow chronological order. Some employ:

• Frame Stories – Stories within stories (like “The Canterbury Tales”)
• Parallel Narratives – Multiple storylines that may or may not intersect
• Flashbacks and Flash-forwards – Jumping between time periods
• Circular Narratives – Ending where they began (like “Finnegans Wake”)

I once tried writing a short story with a reverse chronology after reading “Time’s Arrow” by Martin Amis. Starting with the ending and working backward created fascinating challenges and insights—proving how structure itself can completely transform a narrative.

Story Elements: Building Blocks of Narrative

Every story, regardless of type, contains several fundamental elements:

1. Character

The individuals (human or otherwise) who drive the action and experience change. Characters may be:

• Protagonists – The main character(s)
• Antagonists – Those opposed to the protagonist
• Dynamic – Characters who change
• Static – Characters who remain unchanged
• Round – Complex, multi-dimensional characters
• Flat – Simple, one-dimensional characters

2. Setting

The time and place where the story occurs. Settings can:

• Serve as mere background
• Function almost like a character (think of how important New York City is in “Sex and the City”)
• Create mood and atmosphere
• Reflect character psychology

3. Point of View

The perspective from which the story is told:

• First-person – Narrated by a character (“I”)
• Second-person – Addressed to “you” (rare but powerful)
• Third-person limited – Following one character’s perspective
• Third-person omniscient – All-knowing narrator with access to multiple characters’ thoughts

4. Conflict

The struggle driving the plot forward. As mentioned earlier, conflicts can be:

• Person vs. Person
• Person vs. Nature/Society
• Person vs. Self

5. Theme

The central idea or message of the story. Themes might include:

• Coming of age
• Love conquers all
• Power corrupts
• Identity and self-discovery
• Mortality and meaning

I once spent an entire semester analyzing how Raymond Carver uses minimalist settings to amplify emotional impact in his short stories. By stripping away extraneous details, he forces readers to focus on the human drama at each story’s core—proving that sometimes what’s left out matters as much as what’s included.

Common Story Archetypes

Story archetypes are recurring patterns or motifs that appear across cultures and time periods:

1. The Coming-of-Age Story

These narratives focus on the psychological and moral growth of a character from youth to adulthood.

Examples: “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “The Catcher in the Rye”

2. The Love Story

Centered on romantic relationships, with obstacles preventing the lovers from being together.

Examples: “Romeo and Juliet,” “Pride and Prejudice”

3. The Revenge Tale

A character seeks vengeance for a perceived wrong.

Examples: “The Count of Monte Cristo,” “Hamlet”

4. The Hero’s Journey

A hero embarks on an adventure, faces adversity, and returns transformed.

Examples: “The Odyssey,” “Star Wars”

5. The Transformation Story

A character undergoes profound change due to circumstances or choices.

Examples: “A Christmas Carol,” “The Metamorphosis”

6. The Temptation Story

A character is enticed by something forbidden or dangerous.

Examples: “Faust,” “The Picture of Dorian Gray”

7. The Sacrifice Story

A character gives up something precious for a greater good.

Examples: “A Tale of Two Cities,” “The Gift of the Magi”

Frequently Asked Questions About Types of Stories

Q: What are the 7 common story tropes?

A: The seven most common story tropes frequently found across different genres are:

1. The Underdog Rising: A weaker or less favored character overcomes greater odds or opponents.
2. Love Conquering All: Romantic love overcomes significant obstacles or conflicts.
3. Good Versus Evil: A clear conflict between virtuous forces and malevolent forces.
4. Coming of Age: A protagonist matures from childhood or adolescence into adulthood.
5. A Quest for Redemption: A character seeks to atone for past mistakes or wrongs.
6. Rags to Riches: A character starts in poverty and achieves wealth or success.
7. Overcoming the Monster: The protagonist confronts and defeats a literal or metaphorical monster or major threat.

These recurring themes provide familiar frameworks and emotional resonance in storytelling.

Q: What are the 5 elements of fiction?

A: The five fundamental elements that structure works of fiction are:

1. Character: The individuals (or other beings) who inhabit and drive the story.
2. Setting: The time and place in which the story’s events occur.
3. Plot: The sequence of events, including the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
4. Conflict: The struggle or challenge within the story that the characters face (e.g., character vs. self, character vs. character, character vs. nature, character vs. society).
5. Theme: The underlying message, moral, or central idea the story explores.

Together, these elements create a complete and engaging narrative.

Q: How many story archetypes are there?

A: While different frameworks exist, the most widely referenced system identifies seven basic story archetypes. These foundational patterns include:

1. The Hero’s Journey
2. Rags to Riches
3. Rebirth
4. Tragedy
5. Comedy
6. Voyage and Return
7. Overcoming the Monster

These archetypes are seen as universal narrative structures found across cultures and time period.

Q: What are the 7 characteristics of a story?

A: A compelling story typically possesses seven key characteristics:

1. Plot: A logical and engaging sequence of events.
2. Characters: Believable and often developing individuals.
3. Setting: A defined time and place that grounds the narrative.
4. Conflict: A central struggle or challenge driving the plot.
5. Point of View: The perspective from which the story is told (e.g., first person, third person).
6. Theme: The underlying message or meaning.
7. Style: The author’s unique voice and use of language.

These elements work together to create a complete and impactful narrative experience.

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Q: What is the 7-part story structure?

A: The seven-part story structure, also known as the story circle or common narrative arc, includes these stages:

1. The Hook: Captures the audience’s attention early on.
2. The Setup: Introduces the main character, their world, and initial situation.
3. The Inciting Incident: An event that disrupts the status quo and launches the main conflict or adventure.
4. Rising Action: The protagonist faces increasingly difficult challenges and builds tension.
5. The Climax: The peak of tension and the turning point of the story, where the main conflict is confronted.
6. The Resolution: The immediate outcome of the climax, resolving the central conflict.
7. The Denouement: The final wrap-up, showing the aftermath and tying up loose ends.

Ending Note: The Endless Possibilities of Storytelling

Learning about the different types of stories in books is not just something you study. It’s a way to understand stories much better and also to get better at writing them.

As we’ve explored, stories can be categorized in numerous ways: by plot structure, length, genre, conflict type, and more. But the strongest stories are often hard to put into just one simple group. They mix parts from different kinds of stories to create something new and interesting that really grabs you.

What fascinates me most is how these fundamental patterns continue to resonate despite our changing world. The hero’s journey that captivated ancient Greeks still works in modern blockbusters. The coming-of-age story remains relevant whether set in Victorian England or contemporary America.

Whether you love reading and want to find new books or you write and want to improve. I hope learning about these story types gave you fresh ideas and made you want to create.

What’s your favorite type of story? Have you noticed how certain patterns resonate with you more than others? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Ready to explore more literary concepts? Take a look at our other articles about creating characters, describing settings and writing dialogue. It will help you understand the art of writing even better.