the hero's journey

The hero's journey is the classic story form, and while some may pooh-pooh it for being formulaic, it shouldn't be disregarded, either.

Here's a quick rundown: 

1.  Catalyst: something interrupts life as usual, and there's nowhere to go but in a new and different direction.

2.  The big event: the world is out of balance, and the protagonist has lost control.

3.  Rising events: events escalate, where more and more is at stake; subplots arise, which may parallel and/or change the main story; and backstory is often introduced here.

4.  Point of no return: the protagonist is fully committed now, and they have to go full-steam ahead, even if they don't seem at all prepared.

5.  Rising again: the protagonist is fully entrenched, and it seems like more and more obstacles appear in their way.

6.  Crisis: this is the death moment, where all seems lost, and the worst thing that could happen happens.

7.  Climax/Battle Scene: this is the inevitable meeting of strong opposing forces finally duking it out face-to-face.

8.  Resolution: this could be as small as a realization or as big as the universe blowing up.

This can all sound dry and useless without an example, so here's the classic "Star Wars" to illustrate:

1.  Catalyst: civil war rages against the evil galactic empire, the rebels steal the empire's Death Star plans, and the princess escapes with the plans.

2.  Big event: Princess Leia is captured, but C3PO and R2D2 escape with the plans.

3.  Rising events: R2D2 is captured, C3PO is lost, and Obi-Wan Kenobi shows Luke Skywalker his father's Jedi Knight light saber.

4.  Point of No Return: Luke Skywalker goes home and finds nothing but dust and smoke-- he literally has nowhere to go now.

5.  Rising again: Darth Vader threatens Princess Leia and destroys her planet (not so good), Luke Skywalker experiences the Force (good).

6.  Crisis: Han Solo, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke Skywalker and company all get dragged into the Death Star.

7.  Climax: Obi-Wan Kenobi (individual symbol of good) and Darth Vader (individual symbol of evil) battle with their light sabers, and the rest of the good guys collectively try to destroy the Death Star.

8.  Resolution: the Death Star is destroyed, Han Solo saves Princess Leia, and the princess gives Han Solo and Luke Skywalker medals for destroying the Death Star.

It's human nature to root for the underdog, and the hero's journey inspires us to puff our chests out a little bigger and believe in things not ordinarily possible.  In short, it's the attitude that people both love and hate in Americans-- that anything is possible, and anyone can make it happen.  And isn't that what stories are for?