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.
- A character name is not an explanation.
- Wrong: Full Moon Silhouette: Diana
- Right: Full Moon Silhouette: At the end of her transformation sequence into Moon Princess Misty, Diana is shown flying across the full moon riding a rutabaga.
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.
For cleaning up examples of Complete Monster and Magnificent Bastard, you must use their dedicated threads: Complete Monster Cleanup, Magnificent Bastard Cleanup.
Edited by Synchronicity on Sep 18th 2023 at 11:42:55 AM
Reposting from the previous two pages, so it doesn't get lost:
As I already posted this in the Star Wars clean-up thread 8 days ago but didn't get a response, so I figured I'd try hear:
Found these on VindicatedByHistory.Live Action Films, these should they be removed since YMMV items can't be played with:
- Downplayed for the original film, later designated A New Hope, due to a degree of Critical Dissonance. It was dismissed as mere adolescent fluff by many critics who didn't "get it", but many other critics did "get it" and were enthusiastic. Fans of course made it a monster box-office hit, becoming the top-grossing film of 1977 and of all time at the time (unadjusted for inflation; even now, that's still Gone with the Wind) and its reputation as one of the greats, not only as "genre film" but film in general, has only grown ever since.
- Again downplayed for the follow-up film, The Empire Strikes Back for similar reasons. Many critics still did not know what to make of it. But many other critics (who had liked the previous film instead of dismissing the series as junk) and most fans thought it was an Even Better Sequel, if not just as good, due to factors like the character development of the leads, the new characters such as Yoda and Lando Calrissian, and the new locations such as Hoth, Dagobah, and Cloud City. It became the top-grossing film of 1980, and the second highest-grossing film of all time, behind only the original film. Like the original film, it was also re-released several times in movie theaters, and it also won Best Film at the People's Choice Awards. In later years, after more Star Wars films were released, most critics and fans alike would consider it the high point of not only its trilogy but of the franchise, making it the best Star Wars film, period.
- Ever since the prequels and especially the sequels, a pervasive myth that Empire was divisive on release has been making the rounds. The evidence speaks for itself on the contrary. While there were some who preferred A New Hope for being self-contained, the response was hardly divisive to the point of dislike and disillusionment as later films would actually create. While Empire did throw everybody for a loop with its cliffhanger climax and ending, with the looming conflicts unresolved, Han's fate uncertain and Vader being revealed as Luke's father, people couldn't wait for the next one. This sort of thing simply wasn't done at the time, or hadn't been done in many years.
- Inverted for Return of the Jedi, surprisingly. When it was released, many considered it an Even Better Sequel to Empire in turn for wrapping up the plotlines more or less satisfyingly, but this opinion has reversed as people soured on the more kid-friendly and merchandise-friendly elements like the Ewoks. In Clerks (1994), Randal describes preferring Empire over Jedi as "blasphemy", but today that's the majority opinion. Dante was an Author Avatar of Big Name Fan Kevin Smith in arguing why Empire was better:
Empire had the better ending. I mean, Luke gets his hand cut off, finds out Vader's his father, Han gets frozen and taken away by Boba Fett. It ends on such a down note. I mean, that's what life is, a series of down endings. All Jedi had was a bunch of Muppets.''
- For many it's been inverted again with the sequel trilogy and particularly its first movie The Force Awakens. The sequel trilogy may be largely praised by critics and controversially divisive among fans as a whole, but The Force Awakens had a very positive initial reception from critics and most fans. But then the two other sequels which were more divisive for various reasons have caused The Force Awakens and the trilogy as a whole to be seen in a less warm light. While intially trumpeted as an "antidote" to the prequels, The Force Awakens has been criticized from day 1 for being too much like A New Hope at the expense of the wider/previous story, and the following films were criticized for amplifying this last bit.
Also from the same page, is this a correct usage, seeing as how it's saying that the critics and fans who praised it are still continuing to praise it, not that anyone who had mixed or negative opinions on it have changed their minds on it?:
- A New Hope: Cut. The time difference between the initial Critical Dissonance and being the biggest movie of 1977 is not long enough to be considered 'history'.
- Empire: Rewrite. If reception was mixed but it later went on to be regarded as the best of the trilogy, that counts. The myth about it being divisive has nothing to do with the actual audience reaction.
- Cut the inversions.
- I have no idea what the TLJ entry is even trying to say, but I'd rather not judge this one since I fall into the "disliking TROS did not fix my hatred of TLJ in any way" camp.
Honestly, Anddrix, I think you have a good sense of what should and shouldn't be cut. There's no need to bring every entry here.
I gave up on telling him this years ago. Constant repetition made no difference.
This edit from Awesome.Game Of Thrones:
- An understated moment for LGBTQ fans: Asexuality is hugely underrepresented in media. To have another character whose asexuality is handled tastefully and not portrayed as something that needs to be 'fixed' is heartening.
Personally, I feel this is Meta-Natter and needs to be axed, but having witnessed a few spectacular troper meltdowns recently I thought I'd play it safe and ask for consensus. Thoughs?
- Fly, robin, fly! - ...I'm trying!
Angry babby
It's kind of sad that "this character's sexuality never gets disrespected" is enough to qualify for an Awesome entry but that's how it is in the media landscape. Maybe comment it out since it's not about a "moment," and maybe somebody can add a specific moment about the character being a proud asexual?
![[down]](https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/smiles/arrow_down.png "[down]"){kind=icon}
Oh. Treating a deliberate removal of the sexual organs as peak asexual representation has some Unfortunate Implications, honestly. Again, if the entry was rewritten to be about some awesome moment about the character being proud of not having sex, it could work, but the character existing is not enough.
Edited by mightymewtron on Oct 22nd 2020 at 10:51:18 AM
I do some cleanup and then I enjoy shows you probably think are cringe.
Also, the character in question was forcibly castrated before reaching puberty. That doesn't exactly equate to a naturally-occurring lack of interest in sex.
Edited by HighCrate on Oct 22nd 2020 at 7:48:03 AM
Showtime!
![[up]](https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/smiles/arrow_up.png "[up]"){kind=icon}
Yeah, my experience was that people were pretty critical of Varys being framed as "ace rep". It was seen as an attempt to get points with ace people without... actually knowing anything about ace people
she/her
Music.Folklore 2020 has this:
- Motif: In "mirrorball" the singer uses the central image of a disco ball to discuss various facets of her personality—her sparkle, her reflectivity, and, ultimately, her fragility.
From YMMV.Raya And The Last Dragon.
Fandom-Enraging Misconception:
- Upon the release of the first teaser trailer, fan comparisons to the Avatar: The Last Airbender franchise and even accusations of Raya copying Avatar were swiftly criticized for western fans reducing foreign culture as a unique story aspect that other stories can't replicate and looking for superficial similarities (such as both Raya and Korra being young heroic women, Raya sporting a similar hairstyle to Korra in one scene, needing to locate a Chosen One to save and unite the divided tribes, etc.), being ignorant that both Raya and Avatar are based on Asian cultures.
- Comparing Raya's physical appearance to Mulan's or Moana's has also been criticized for being ignorant of the regional differences between Southeast Asians and East Asians (in the case of Raya and Mulan) and Asians and Pacific Islanders.
Would this count for unreleased works?
Edited by WhirlRX on Oct 22nd 2020 at 12:59:19 PM
Repeatedly comparing herself to a 'mirrorball' throughout the song is the motif, not the multiple meanings.
Too knee-jerk. The teaser came out yesterday.
- The opening / quote of Raya and the Last Dragon feels similar to the opening / quote of Avatar: The Last Airbender... is it just me?
And it's also "X, the Last Y" titles... Mmm...
Edited by Malady on Oct 22nd 2020 at 11:19:05 AM
Disambig Needed: Help with those issues! tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=13324299140A37493800&page=24#comment-576
There are similarities but that has nothing to do with the trope.
Oof I can't believe that work page has a YMMV but zero actual tropes
Edited by Synchronicity on Oct 22nd 2020 at 6:30:58 PM
Angry babby
From Characters.Speak: is this insane enough to be Insane Troll Logic? We do have a trope for this specific argument that I could move there, but it's not that bizarre and random an argument given how many people try to rationalize rape this way in real life. But I wanted to ask here first lest I be mistaken for saying this argument isn't wrong at all (it is, obviously).
- Insane Troll Logic: In the climax, when he corners Melinda in the janitor's closet, Andy tries to claim that all of the other girls he had assaulted and/or harassed were practically asking for it, so therefore, he is not a rapist.
Edited by mightymewtron on Oct 22nd 2020 at 2:55:55 PM
I do some cleanup and then I enjoy shows you probably think are cringe.
^ - Is there not a requirement that the insanity be called out In-Universe?
This doesn't fit, right?
- Just Eat Gilligan: Just pay your band members fairly/equally, because not doing so causes more trouble than it's ever worth. Same for paying taxes.
- Argentina Is Nazi Land, on a meta level: This is where the last known copy of the uncut film was discovered; it's a German movie that was popular with Hitler; you do the math.
Edited by Malady on Oct 22nd 2020 at 1:10:02 AM
Disambig Needed: Help with those issues! tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=13324299140A37493800&page=24#comment-576
Recap.My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic S 3 E 13 Magical Mystery Cure:
- An Aesop: Your destiny isn't suited in stone; you are what you choose to be.
Where it the episode does it state that that is the/a lesson? The show is normally very clear on its Aesops and it's only later seasons that get more subtle about delivering them.
What happened is Twilight Sparkle accidentally switched her friends cutie mark/destinies, and she has to use their friendship to convince them to rediscover their true/original destines and in turn her own to become an alicorn princess. This sounds like the opposite of the stated Aesop and one so cynical the show would never dare to present as an intended lesson.
I think that the show is so Aesop based we're projecting an Aesop onto an episode where there was none intended. The episode was massively rewritten and condensed by higher ups to to promote the toys and whom likely didn't care about a message.
Should the Aesop be cut as there's little proof for and plenty against it being intentional?
You can cut it.
The spoilered reason isn't about any kind of mental impairment, though. It's like a status thing, like learning he was the one who sent her dad to the hospital or something.
I don't think this counts?
- Questionable Consent: Sofia and Raúl have sex, which she certainly would not do if she'd known he was the hacker.
Edited by Malady on Oct 22nd 2020 at 1:54:24 AM
Disambig Needed: Help with those issues! tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=13324299140A37493800&page=24#comment-576
Mental imbalance is not necessary but *power* imbalance is. Not seeing that in that example
Is this correct usage of averted?
- CN City: Averted. In addition to Ed, Edd n Eddy, there's also Edward, the jerk platypus from Camp Lazlo, and Eduardo, the bull-like imaginary friend from Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends.
... what is it averting?
...Shit, I formatted that wrong. Whoops ;o.o It's supposed to be One-Steve Limit.
Jawbreakers on sale for 99¢
Angry babby
I think Edward and Eduardo are a downplayed version of One-Steve Limit.
I do some cleanup and then I enjoy shows you probably think are cringe.
Yes, it’s a correct use.
I think it’s still regular level; description says similar sounding names count.
Given how often this audience reaction is misused can I get any confirmationtion as to whether this example from Animaniacs is being used correctly?:
- Franchise Original Sin: People complaining that the reboot, based on a mere trailer, is too "political" based on one Trump joke and Dot saying "Never mansplain-y" have forgotten that the original show was not afraid to get political. The show made fun of Democrats (especially Bill Clinton, who plays the sax) and Republicans ("According to this, I'd say we've lost our way" / "This isn't a map, it's campaign flyer for the Republican Party") alike; no one was spared, as the Presidents Song showed us.
That Plot Hole entry makes no sense — doesn't clarify if it was a simple editing error, or if he could have already been in the middle of eating and stepped out to take a call or something. I'd just cut.
There are a ton of older entries that rely on knowledge of actors' typecasting. As far as I'm concerned they're just ZCE.