TVTropes Now available in the app store!
Open

Follow TV Tropes

Following

Is this an example?

Go To

Do you have trouble remembering the difference between Deathbringer the Adorable and Fluffy the Terrible?

Do you have trouble recognizing when you've written a Zero-Context Example?

Not sure if you really have a Badass Bookworm or just a guy who likes to read?

Well, this is the thread for you. We're here to help you will all the finer points of example writing. If you have any questions, we can answer them. Don't be afraid. We don't bite. We all just want to make the wiki a better place for everyone.


Useful Tips:

  • Make sure that the example makes sense to both people who don't know the work AND don't know the trope.
    • Wrong: The Mentor: Kevin is this to Bob in the first episode.
    • Right: The Mentor: Kevin takes Bob under his wing in the first episode and teaches him the ropes of being a were-chinchilla.
  • Never just put the trope title and leave it at that.
    • Wrong: Badass Adorable
    • Right: Badass Adorable: Xavier, the group's cute little mascot, defeats three raging elephants with both hands tied behind his back using only an uncooked spaghetti noodle.
  • When is normally far less important than How.
    • Wrong: Big Bad: Of the first season.
    • Right: Big Bad: The heroes have to defeat the Mushroom Man lest the entirety of Candy Land's caramel supply be turned into fungus.
  • A character name is not an explanation.


Other Resources:


For best results, please include why you think an example is iffy in your first post.

Also, many oft-misused tropes/topics have their own threads, such as Surprisingly Realistic Outcome (here) and Fan-Preferred Couple (here). Tropers are better able to give feedback on examples you bring up to specific threads. We don't discuss Complete Monster or Magnificent Bastard examples; please don't bring them up.

Edited by SeptimusHeap on Jul 17th 2025 at 8:59:01 PM

RainbowPumpqueen R A T (she/her) from Kalos Since: Apr, 2021 Relationship Status: Squeeeeeeeeeeeee!
R A T (she/her)
#28101: Jun 16th 2023 at 11:31:29 PM

[up][up][up] Not really, no. I think it's just because the original post was made on June 7th, and the 16th was a date that still gave people time to prepare if they wanted to make Actual Art instead of ms paint shitposts.

Feel free to help with the sandbox or edit my troper wall
TroperNo9001 Dragon in Waiting from the Dollhouse (Wise, aged troper) Relationship Status: I turn to stone when you are gone
Dragon in Waiting
#28102: Jun 17th 2023 at 12:43:08 AM

Reposting my question from the previous page here.

Still waiting for someone to break him free...
nrjxll Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Not war
#28103: Jun 17th 2023 at 1:02:00 AM

[up][up]If this is an event taking place for the first time just now, I kind of doubt it even qualifies as a "Fandom Holiday" in the first place.

[up]I'm going to call that a shoehorn. And actually, does River even have red hair? She always looked brunette to me.

TroperNo9001 Dragon in Waiting from the Dollhouse (Wise, aged troper) Relationship Status: I turn to stone when you are gone
Dragon in Waiting
#28104: Jun 17th 2023 at 1:39:46 AM

I don't see any Hair Color Dissonance since IMO her hair is clearly shown to be reddish-orange when she's next to Johnny, who has dark brown hair.

Still waiting for someone to break him free...
nrjxll Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Not war
#28105: Jun 17th 2023 at 1:44:11 AM

Regardless, while I don't think the Playing With entry is incorrect per se, I still think, yeah, "not-Fiery Redhead" reads like a shoehorn with no actual troping value.

Tylerbear12 What you see is what you get, just a guy. from The Green Hills. Since: Apr, 2015 Relationship Status: Yes, I'm alone, but I'm alone and free
What you see is what you get, just a guy.
#28106: Jun 17th 2023 at 3:06:52 AM

On YMMV.Luca:

  • Accidental Aesop:
    • It's okay to admit you don't know everything. Alberto and Luca have a fight because Luca learns from Giulia that the lights in the sky aren't glowing fish (as Alberto told Luca earlier), but stars, making Luca realize that Alberto doesn't know as much about the surface as he claims. It eventually lead to their fallout until they made up, with Alberto paying a ticket for Luca to get a chance to learn what he doesn't know. - I don't know if this actually counts as accidental, given that this plays a huge part in Alberto's Character Development.
    • It's okay to change, and to change your mind. Luca initially leaves his shepherd's life in the sea to live his and Alberto's shared dream of seeing the world on a vespa, but decides upon further self- and world exploration that he'd rather go to school. Both changes initially upset Luca's family and the latter upsets Alberto, but everyone involved eventually decides they care more about Luca's happiness than their own hangups. - This lesson plays a central role in Luca's Character Development, so is this actually accidental?
    • Sometimes it's better in the long run to assert boundaries, even if it risks causing painful conflict. When Alberto oversteps and begins trying to make life choices for Luca, Luca asserting himself initially leads to an escalating blowout between them, but eventually brings about a more healthy reevaluation of the flaws in their relationship, with Luca stepping up to become more decisive and bold for Alberto's sake and Alberto letting go of control for the sake of Luca's happiness. - '''Again, this plays a role in Luca's arc and overall Character Development.

Do these actually count? All three examples play vital roles in Luca and Alberto's Character Development and their arcs (Luca's being to become more independent and confident in himself, and Alberto's being to overcome his insecurities and accept he isn't right about everything), but I don't know for sure.

Edited by Tylerbear12 on Jun 17th 2023 at 12:09:04 PM

Adept (Holding A Herring) Relationship Status: Having tea with Cthulhu
#28107: Jun 17th 2023 at 5:00:49 AM

Does Mister Seahorse count if the character in question is a Gender Bender who gives birth while being in female form? (e.g. Loki giving birth to Sleipnir while taking the form of a mare)

AnoneMouseJr Since: Nov, 2010
#28108: Jun 17th 2023 at 5:17:43 AM

Gender-bending is specifically listed in the trope description, so yes, it counts.

Until next time...

Anon e Mouse Jr.

If you're responding directly to one of my posts, please ping me to make sure I see it.
TroperNo9001 Dragon in Waiting from the Dollhouse (Wise, aged troper) Relationship Status: I turn to stone when you are gone
Dragon in Waiting
#28109: Jun 17th 2023 at 9:22:42 AM

[up][up][up][up]What about inversions of Dumb Blonde that list them as smart blondes? Are they still valid?

Still waiting for someone to break him free...
Bubblepig Rei from Tokyo (Apprentice) Relationship Status: is commanded toβ€” WANK!
Bullman Enid Sinclair Since: Jun, 2018 Relationship Status: Longing for my OTP
Enid Sinclair
#28111: Jun 17th 2023 at 10:01:38 AM

I found this They Changed It, Now It Sucks! entry on YMMV.The Little Mermaid 2023:

  • This version of "Poor Unfortunate Souls" removes the verse about body language and women staying quiet to find a man. This is because the song had been criticized by some parents for sending a bad message. Others counter that it was sang by the villain who was manipulating Ariel for her own ends; it was never presented as a legitimate moral.

This sounds more like Broken Base then fans being angry that it was changed.

Fan-Preferred Couple cleanup thread
Bubblepig Rei from Tokyo (Apprentice) Relationship Status: is commanded toβ€” WANK!
#28112: Jun 17th 2023 at 10:23:36 AM

Guys please, I need to get my examples check so that I can send it to Get Help With English forum asap.

Edited by Bubblepig on Jun 17th 2023 at 10:54:03 AM

"Now it's starting to feel like a game!"
mightymewtron Word Up from New New York Since: Oct, 2012 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
Word Up
#28113: Jun 17th 2023 at 11:25:22 AM

[up][up] Every fan I've seen hated that change because of the second reason listed. The alleged parental complaints aren't really part of the "fanbase" proper. It's a valid entry.

I do some cleanup and then I enjoy shows you probably think are cringe.
Bullman Enid Sinclair Since: Jun, 2018 Relationship Status: Longing for my OTP
Enid Sinclair
#28114: Jun 17th 2023 at 11:29:05 AM

Cool.

Can I get some more feedback on this?

Edited by Bullman on Jun 17th 2023 at 1:35:08 PM

Fan-Preferred Couple cleanup thread
Bubblepig Rei from Tokyo (Apprentice) Relationship Status: is commanded toβ€” WANK!
#28115: Jun 17th 2023 at 11:52:22 AM

[up] I'd cut that because it sounds like a misused. I'll just wait for other's opinions.

At this point, may I reposted my previous posts on Ask The Tropers so I can get a fast response? I understand you guys are so busy with your problems just like mine.

FYI, thisis what I am reposting.

Edited by Bubblepig on Jun 17th 2023 at 11:55:34 AM

"Now it's starting to feel like a game!"
TroperNo9001 Dragon in Waiting from the Dollhouse (Wise, aged troper) Relationship Status: I turn to stone when you are gone
Dragon in Waiting
#28116: Jun 17th 2023 at 12:33:14 PM

In Bugsnax, which of the tropes in the disambig page best fits this example?

  • Kick The Son Of A Bitch: Given the revelation of what Bugsnax are and what they intend to do, any moment where you had to injure one to capture it (setting them on fire, knocking them out of the sky, etc.) retroactively becomes an example of this.

Edited by TroperNo9001 on Jun 18th 2023 at 3:33:29 AM

Still waiting for someone to break him free...
Synchronicity (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#28117: Jun 17th 2023 at 12:39:59 PM

[up]Hard to say because the original example doesn't have context for the "son of a bitch" part.

[up][up]For Thousand-Yard Stare, I'm inclined to say no because that's supposed to be for PTSD-induced blankness. I associated lobotomy with Death of Personality.

Edited by Synchronicity on Jun 17th 2023 at 2:41:40 PM

Ayumi-chan 3rd happiest man in Connecticut from Iacon City (Experienced Trainee) Relationship Status: I like big bots and I can not lie
3rd happiest man in Connecticut
#28118: Jun 17th 2023 at 2:28:05 PM

Reposting this

She/Her | Currently cleaning: N/A
Synchronicity (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#28119: Jun 17th 2023 at 2:34:46 PM

It's rather hard to respond to it since the uncertainty hinges on lore that I don't know, rather than how the entry is written. I think you should just modify them to fit facts as best as you can.

Bubblepig Rei from Tokyo (Apprentice) Relationship Status: is commanded toβ€” WANK!
#28120: Jun 17th 2023 at 5:22:50 PM

[up][up] On a second thought. I think I should make Empty Shell example in From Hell since Lobotomy makes people empty, right? And idk how I use Death of Personality right.

Here's the example of Empty Shell:

  • Empty Shell: Being lobotomize makes Ann a vegetable and emotionless. Same goes to Gull once he got lobotomize too, making looking empty when he stares into nothing.

Do you think I can send my two examples to Get Help With English forum?

Edited by Bubblepig on Jun 17th 2023 at 5:23:04 AM

"Now it's starting to feel like a game!"
Malady (X-Troper)
#28121: Jun 17th 2023 at 6:34:47 PM

Useless Item: Sounds like complaining? It has a use, even though it's not *that* useful?

  • Fallout 4 has Wasteland Survival Guide #5 "Guide To Diamond City", which sounds great to have: it tells you where Diamond City is, the central hub of the Commonwealth Wasteland. Except in practice it requires you to hoof it to the Gorski cabin (slightly south-east of Sanctuary Hills and directly west of Starlight Drive In), kill the ghouls there, and then head into the highly-radioactive root cellar (when you barely have any way of dealing with radiation), then snag the magazine on the desk to the left of the door on the way in... to have it only mark it on your map. You have to walk into Diamond City to "discover" it. And what's worse, Mama Murphy does the same thing for you during the quest "When Freedom Calls," same with Trashcan Carla if you decide to wander down Concord's road instead of helping Preston. Even issue #4 does something, even if it lets you make plastic lawn flamingos! This issue seems to be only thrown in for fluff, or for people who wanted to sequence-break (and even then you could just check online).

Edited by Malady on Jun 17th 2023 at 6:35:01 AM

Disambig Needed: Help with those issues! tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=13324299140A37493800&page=24#comment-576
fragglelover Since: Jun, 2012
#28122: Jun 17th 2023 at 9:07:47 PM

I found this on Bee Movie:

The Red Stapler: The "laws of aviation" from the early 20th century, brought up at the beginning of the movie, explained the flight of large objects such as aeroplanes and birds but failed when applied to really small objects like bees. Modern laws of aviation do explain the flight of bees β€” their wings provide sufficient flex to lift them off the ground, and the wings flap thousands of times per second.

I'm not sure what trope this is, I'm not even sure if it's a trope at all, but I'm sure that this is misuse of The Red Stapler...

Angrybirds123456 Since: Jun, 2021
#28123: Jun 17th 2023 at 9:14:43 PM

For the Last of Us 2023 series funny moments page.

  • There were so many times Joel and Sarah dodged the cordyceps infection, that it's honestly humorous.note 

For Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Mr. Salt: Wonka! This has gone far enough!
Willy Wonka: Quite right sir! Stop the boat!

For the OKKO episode Plaza Film Festival recap page.

  • An Aesop: Critiques are important and it's important to take them to heart, though not all of them of course.

I tried to get some grammar feedback, but absolutely nobody would even respond to me. Anyway, would these be good examples of their respective tropes?

mightymewtron Word Up from New New York Since: Oct, 2012 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
Word Up
#28124: Jun 17th 2023 at 9:23:18 PM

[up][up] Artistic License – Physics, maybe?

I do some cleanup and then I enjoy shows you probably think are cringe.
Bubblepig Rei from Tokyo (Apprentice) Relationship Status: is commanded toβ€” WANK!
#28125: Jun 17th 2023 at 9:37:24 PM

Reposting it . Look at my question asap because I need to post it on GHWE forum very quick.

Edited by Bubblepig on Jun 17th 2023 at 9:38:06 AM

"Now it's starting to feel like a game!"

Total posts: 36,649
Top