Stranded in Fiction

A Fun-Filled Guide to the Genre of Survivalism

By Sam Malley
Plot Structure

1. Characters are introduced, with their personalities, hobbies, and pre-

existing lives fleshed out.
2. A catastrophic event occurs suddenly that leaves the character(s) isolated
from contact with the outside world.
3. The character(s) fight for survival by using any prior knowledge/skills they
have (ex. foraging for food, finding shelter, creating fire)
4. A threat is encountered then defeated
5. The character tries to escape and is found or they are rescued from the
place they are sstranded
6. The character readjusts to society.
Story Arc: Survivalism vs. General
Fiction
 Lord of the Island of the
Robinson Crusoe The Martian by
Flies by William Blue Dolphins
by Daniel Defoe Andy Weir
Goulding by Scott ODell

Notable Examples
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textsfiction&psig=AOvVaw1URkJ7kACOuq9M1IUw9vhs&ust=1508180506635643
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja
&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiYwZSIq_PWAhVs3IMKHbU-
BR4QjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.frontiernet.net%2F~mblow%2Fharris_burdic
k.htm&psig=AOvVaw1URkJ7kACOuq9M1IUw9vhs&ust=1508180506635643
https://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/literature/images/e/ee/1889RobinsonCruso
eUSA.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20170211102934
http://images.contentful.com/7h71s48744nc/Dw7ih8C2poOigpnsEMQb04/6d8a104
a4ba073049c94f94f036c8afc/lord-of-the-flies-cover-image
http://blogcritics.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/themartian.jpg
https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1320535556l/563040.jpg