History Main / RuleofDrama

Often comes up in books and films on history, because if it is found that two people had a conflict, however minor it may have actually been, it will often be milked [[HistoricalVillainUpgrade at least a little]] - and [[PlotTumor sometimes too much]] by the writer. The reason is not necessarily because the writer is trying to lie or change history, but because [[TropesAreTools conflict is something the general audience can identify with]].

Without drama and {{conflict}}, [[StoryExistenceFailure There Is No Show]]. A show where everyone gets along and nothing unpleasant happens will bore everyone. This is the reason for the RuleOfDrama.

To determine if a trope is a product of the RuleOfDrama, ask yourself: If this trope weren't used, [[AnthropicPrinciple would this much crap even be happening?]]

* HandWave: how bad writers preserve the RuleOfDrama in the face of potential conflict-quenching rationality when they don't want to resort to PoorCommunicationKills.

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[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/the_three_unities_drama_2_638.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Here are a few rules from Creator/{{Aristotle}} about how a drama should go.]]

->'''Quilt''': ''I have deduced that your old girlfriend escaped death because she was pregnant with your love-child and this Oracle Hunter is none other than your ''long-lost daughter''!''\\
'''Donovan Deegan''': ''And how, praytell, did you deduce all that?''\\
'''Quilt''': ''Because it is ''very'' dramatic.''
-->--'''DominicDeegan'''

->''"And once again, Probability proves itself willing to sneak into a back alley and service Drama as would a copper piece harlot."''
-->-- '''[[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0584.html Vaarsuvius]]''', ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick''

-->--'''[[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0584.html Vaarsuvius]]''', ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick''

-> "The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. But it's not neccesarily the most interesting."

Often comes up in books and films on history, because if it is found that two people had a conflict, however minor it may have actually been, it will often be milked [[HistoricalVillainUpgrade at least a little]] - and [[PlotTumor sometimes too much]] by the writer. The reason is not nessesarily because the writer is trying to lie or change history, but because [[TropesAreTools conflict is something the general audience can identify with]].

Related to RuleOfFunny in comedy. See also AnthropicPrinciple.

[[DoctorWho The Third Doctor]] once said:

* CannotSpitItOut

* HandWave - how bad writers preserve the RuleOfDrama in the face of potential conflict-quenching rationality when they don't want to resort to PoorCommunicationKills.
* HopeSpot - Because if things start going too well, and it isn't the end of the story, it has to be temporary.

* JustEatGilligan

* ShockingSwerve

* TemptingFate - Stating the unlikelihood of mishap causes its likelihood to approach 100%.

* DisasterDominoes - Mishaps will enough collateral damage to enhance the plot, no more and no less.

In real life, to avoid headaches and hassles, one prefers to plan ahead (sometimes months in advance), organize, analyze, take your time, be conservative, play it safe, stick to what you know will work, keep it simple, think it out thourougly, have a backup plan, have a backup to the backup plan, know your limits, practice, rehearse, and drill. This, of course, is all well and good for planning the perfect family vacation, but makes for a dull adventure story. In fiction, Rule of Drama means that things are going to be much more drawn out, messy, unpredictable, and complicated, even if you are a CrazyPrepared Chessmaster. Also, in fiction, even the [[TheSmartGuy ones known for their intelligence]] tend to make stupid mistakes, act impulsively or anything else just to get them embroiled in an adventure. Because there is no drama in being too smart or prepared to either avoid or prevent most nasty situations or having already intricately planned for every contingency. Essentially, the journey is widely considered more important than the destination, so everything can't run too smoothly, not even for the sake of the characters' peace of mind.