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Overview

Save the Cat! Story Genres

Save the Cat! Story Genres is a classification system of 10 story types proposed by screenwriter Blake Snyder in his book 'Save the Cat!'. Unlike traditional movie genres (romantic comedy, sci-fi, horror, etc.), stories are categorized based on their essential structure and the hero's journey. This system is widely applied not only to screenplays but also to novels, TV dramas, and other storytelling media, serving as a practical framework used worldwide to help writers understand the core elements of their stories and construct effective plots.

screenwriting story structure Blake Snyder story classification creative writing
code slug name description
01 monster-in-the-house Monster in the House A story type where the hero must survive a monster in an enclosed space.
02 golden-fleece Golden Fleece A story type where a hero and their team embark on a quest to win a prize or accomplish a mission.
03 out-of-the-bottle Out of the Bottle A wish-fulfillment story type where an ordinary hero's life is changed by magic.
04 dude-with-a-problem Dude with a Problem A story type where an innocent hero is pulled into a life-or-death problem.
05 rites-of-passage Rites of Passage A story type where a hero learns to face life problems through acceptance rather than avoidance.
06 buddy-love Buddy Love A story type where a spiritually incomplete hero finds wholeness through a companion.
07 whydunit Whydunit A story type where a detective pursues a case to uncover the 'why' behind human darkness.
08 fool-triumphant Fool Triumphant A story type where an underestimated fool triumphs against the establishment.
09 institutionalized Institutionalized A story type where a hero must choose their relationship with a group or institution.
10 superhero Superhero A story type where a hero with special powers faces a formidable nemesis or catastrophic problem.

A story structure classification system of 10 genres proposed by Blake Snyder.