2. Examples of the Universal Storyline

The Novel Formula - Step Two Examples

Here are some examples of the Universal Storyline in some of the most popular movies and books.

Read more about the Universal Storyline here.

	Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone	Star Wars	The Matrix	The Lion King
Introduction	Harry's life with his aunt. Uncle and cousin	Luke is living with his aunt and uncle	Neo is working in a boring job	Simba's idyllic world
Call to Action	Invitation to Hogwarts	Princess Leia's message	Follow the White Rabbit	Nala tells him of Scar's bad ruling
Crossing the threshold	The train to Hogwarts	Family home destroyed	Neo is taken out of the matrix for the first time	Leaves Timon and Pumbaa to return to Pride Rock
Mentor teaches the lead	Lots of lessons and discussion with Dumbledore	Obi Wan Kenobi teaches	Morpheus explains	Rafiki bops him on the head
First challenge	Troll in the toilet	Trash Compactor	Battle with Agent Smith	Hyenas
Temptation	Harry becomes addicted to the Mirror's visions	Luke is tempted by the Dark side	Live in the illusion of the matrix	Give up the throne to Scar
Dark moment	Harry realises the Philosopher's Stone isn't safe and Dumbledore is away	Obi Wan killed	Morpheus is tortured	Tells everyone he is responsible for his father's death
Final conflict	The trials to reach the stone	Battle with the death star	Subway battle	Fight with Scar
Return home	Returns to the Dursleys house	Luke is rewarded with medals	Neo speaks to the awoken masses	The circle of life continues