Is this an example?

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.
- 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

fishysaur Good for nothing Since: May, 2018

Good for nothing

#19526: Apr 11th 2022 at 11:18:02 AM

Some tropers added some foreshadowing entries on a later revelation in One Piece (which, for spoiler's sake, I'll keep in a folder) but for the most part it seems fans reinterpretating previous stuff to make it seem it was planned all along (when it seems clear it's later thought)

One Piece manga spoilers

Foreshadowing: There have been several hints throughout the story that Luffy's powers are not simply rubberising his body, as well as his connection to both 'Joy Boy' and the identity of 'Nika, the sun god'.

The fruit's purpose to allow its wielder to bring smiles and laughter to others was demonstrated when Luffy first discovered his new abilities in Makino's bar upon first eating it, his limbs being stretched out in a comical manner by Shanks by accidentnote with both their reactions making Luffy's transformation come off as funny rather than terrifying.
Luffy has always been subject to comical injuries even in serious moments note and has been regularly damaged in a comedic fashion by Nami and others who don't possess Haki, despite his body supposedly being resistant specifically against blunt-type damage. With the reveal of Joy Boy, it becomes clear that said injuries occurred precisely because they were funny in the first place, and in said form, Luffy's body becomes capable of downplaying serious damage for the sake of a gag.
Luffy's Gear Three apparently worked by him blowing air into his bones through his thumb and transferring the air through them to each limb as he needed it. Bones are not actually interconnected in such a manner that air could travel through it, and doing so would actually make them lighter as a result. As it turns out, this was Luffy using his fruit's Sizeshifter powers without fully realizing it, and making up an explanation for his ability off the top of his head.
Luffy's Gear Four forms having a shroud made of steam forming over his shoulders seemed to be a Rule of Cool effect and one not directly tied to Luffy's rubber abilities, but after he activates Joy Boy, it turns to said shroud is a side-effect of the Joy Boy transformation, with Gear Four being the closest Luffy go to that power level.
During the Skypiea Arc, in chapter 253, when the Straw Hats are dancing around their campfire, Luffy's silhouette is almost exactly the same as that of Nika's depiction shown when Who's-Who discusses him with Jinbei, minus the weapons he's holding in his hands.
In the Whole Cake Island arc, Katakuri's Mochi Mochi Fruit is noted as a special Paramecia where on paper it is a Paramecia but acts like a Logia, indicating not all fruits fall strictly under one category in terms of how their powers work. Luffy turns out to actually be a Zoan whose powers share properties with a Paramecia. Also, the observation gives more credence to how the World Government was able to pass off the Mythical Zoan as a Paramecia.
The wielder of the fruit being somebody who would 'liberate slaves from their bonds' has been showcased in Luffy's attitude towards slavery and oppression throughout the series, even if he doesn't think of himself as a hero nor wants to be treated as one. The very first act he committed as a pirate after leaving Windmill Village was freeing Coby from his self-imposed servitude upon Alvida's ship, noticeably not making any attempt to free him physically at first, but presenting an example that his dreams of being a marine were possible if he had to courage to risk himself rather than rely on somebody else to do it for him, and only stepping in when Coby demonstrated that spirit. This is much the same as the Revolutionary Army are later demonstrated to operate.
Crossed with Five-Second Foreshadowing, when the third act of Wano gets underway, there's an increasing mention of Joy Boy happening from multiple characters, with Oden's flashback revealing that he left the treasure behind on Laugh Tale that Roger would later claim as his own, King recalling a conversation he had with Kaido over whether the latter would 'become' him, and Momonosuke revealing that Zunesha was an old compatriot of his from 800 years ago. Luffy's Gum-Gum fruit is shown to be much more important than it actually seemed, with Who's-Who revealing that he was tasked with keeping it secured on a transport ship for the World Government when he was part of CP 9, and was immediately made persona non grata to them over losing it to Shanks. The Five Elders mention that there was a particular Devil Fruit they tried to erase the true name of from history a few chapters before it's confirmed that the Gum-Gum is that self-same fruit, and its true abilities, when awakened, allow one to become capable of any bizarre or funny feat they can imagine, being gifted the title of 'Joy Boy' as a result.

personally, I only find the Skypiea example (which hints Luffy being connected to Nika, and indeed many pointed it out before the reveal) and the last bulk (since at that point Oda decided to change Luffy's fruit) but for the rest it seems fans rereading stuff rather than the story giving hints to a reveal which, again, clearly wasn't planned at the time (it would be too long to counter all of them, but let's just say that characters being subjected to Amusing Injuries or using their devil fruit in ways that don't follow the law of biology/phyisics is something many characters do, not just Luffy)

Edited by fishysaur on Apr 11th 2022 at 8:20:13 PM

There isn't an impossible dream, there are only people who give up

Amonimus the Retromancer from <<|Wiki Talk|>> (Sergeant) Relationship Status: In another castle

the Retromancer

#19527: Apr 11th 2022 at 11:32:30 AM

As a manga reader, I call bs (or at least misuse) on all of them. There's yet to be canon connections to the previous events, and what these describe are no different from other unrealistic things any other character do all the time. Agree that Skypiea example may be valid actually, since it does mention a connection.

Foreshadowing example can't be "crossed with" Five-Second Foreshadowing, it's just an example of Five-Second Foreshadowing instead.

TroperWall / WikiMagic Cleanup

k5972 Jazz Lover 5972 Since: Jun, 2013 Relationship Status: Wishfully thinking

Jazz Lover 5972

#19528: Apr 11th 2022 at 1:49:08 PM

Yumi's Cells (trivia) has a few bullet points under Trolling Creator about how the author loves teasing the readers about things like whether Yumi will hook up with her boyfriend, whether her entire relationship was all a dream, and whether her boyfriend is going to propose just before a hiatus is announced. The readers' comments in the comic do refer to the author's behavior as "trolling", but I'm wondering if that fits better under Teasing Creator.

There is a Q&A panel that provides a little information about the author's intentions:

Q. You seem to deceive readers whenever you get the opportunity. Why is that?

A. It's so much fun.

Edited by k5972 on Apr 11th 2022 at 3:54:57 AM

wingedcatgirl I'm helping! from lurking (Holding A Herring) Relationship Status: Oh my word! I'm gay!

I'm helping!

#19529: Apr 11th 2022 at 2:21:48 PM

Would it be correct to file Alexandria's Genesis^Explanation as an example of Memetic Mutation under YMMV.Daria?

Trouble Cube continues to be a general-purpose forum for those who desire such a thing.

mightymewtron Angry babby from New New York Since: Oct, 2012 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!

Angry babby

#19530: Apr 11th 2022 at 2:29:42 PM

I don't immediately think of it as a Daria meme so much as a Tumblr meme.

I do some cleanup and then I enjoy shows you probably think are cringe.

wingedcatgirl I'm helping! from lurking (Holding A Herring) Relationship Status: Oh my word! I'm gay!

I'm helping!

#19531: Apr 11th 2022 at 4:09:08 PM

People have apparently started falling for it on TikTok too (despite everyone up to and including the original creator trying to debunk it) so maybe it's more of a "teenager who wants to be special" meme.

Edited by wingedcatgirl on Apr 11th 2022 at 6:09:42 AM

Trouble Cube continues to be a general-purpose forum for those who desire such a thing.

Wafer The Mask Does Not Laugh Since: Oct, 2021 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature

The Mask Does Not Laugh

#19532: Apr 11th 2022 at 6:41:56 PM

I found this on Only Flowers Fall and I'm honestly a bit paranoid that this doesn't fit the trope (despite the wording I didn't add it, I just found it).

Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: Lusamine beams when Lillie comes to visit her in the hospital, only for any pretense to melt away when her daughter makes clear that she only came to request that she stop trying to contact her.

Malady (Not-So-Newbie)

#19533: Apr 11th 2022 at 9:51:17 PM

Glasses Pull: Seeing how broad this can get, to help with TRS on Adjusting Your Glasses.

Is this Glasses Pull?

In an unusual variation, you know shit's going down when Stiyl removes his cigarette in A Certain Magical Index.

Disambig Needed: Help with those issues! tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=13324299140A37493800&page=24#comment-576

MacronNotes (she/her) (Captain) Relationship Status: Less than three

(she/her)

#19534: Apr 12th 2022 at 4:26:15 AM

Is this the first time Lusamine was introduced? If she hasn't been established as a affable character before her mask slips off, then she doesn't count as an example. The example could also use more context in regards to how she reacts after the mask falls off but I disgress

Well, the trope as written seems to be glasses specific so that probably won't count as an example.

Macron's notes

Malady (Not-So-Newbie)

#19535: Apr 12th 2022 at 6:18:55 AM

Cutting that then.

Note to Self, This Quest Is Bullshit has "Practice makes Perfect" as ch. 3, and 14 is "Practice makes Perfecter".

Not sure if this is Cross-Referenced Titles or just Idiosyncratic Episode Naming:

The former has:

Nero Wolfe:
- Rex Stout wrote three novels called Too Many Cooks, Too Many Women and Too Many Clients. And a short story called "Too Many Detectives".

And I'm wondering about:

This Trilogy is Broken!: This Quest Is Bullshit (Alternate title: This Quest is Broken!), This Class is Bonkers!, This Guild is Batty!, This Plot is Bananas!

I guess the difference that makes it Cross-Referenced Titles it's not just a length issue, they share a consistent theme? A.k.a nor just "4 words" or One-Word Title or whatever, but they all use "a B-word that means crazy" and similar nouns?

Disambig Needed: Help with those issues! tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=13324299140A37493800&page=24#comment-576

rjd1922 he/him | Image Pickin' regular from the United States Since: May, 2013 Relationship Status: Love is for the living, Sal

he/him | Image Pickin' regular

#19536: Apr 12th 2022 at 7:45:57 AM

Is this really an example of "Could Have Avoided This!" Plot? The trope is about characters realizing they could have avoided the conflict by doing something else, which seems distinct from "hero does stupid thing in the heat of the moment and then apologizes".

In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Harry gets the gang caught when he yells Voldemort's name, despite knowing full well that it had been jinxed to notify the bad guys of anyone who mentions it — and having been reminded right before yelling it. He later admits it was his fault and apologizes, but the whole ordeal resulted in Hermione getting tortured, Ron's family being forced to go into hiding, and Dobby losing his life rescuing them. Whoops! The film changes it to Xenophilius Lovegood summoning the Death Eaters to save his kidnapped daughter.

Keet cleanup

Amonimus the Retromancer from <<|Wiki Talk|>> (Sergeant) Relationship Status: In another castle

the Retromancer

#19537: Apr 12th 2022 at 9:09:47 AM

"Could Have Avoided This!" Plot is very commonly misused as What An Idiot. The example sounds like it's trying to be that instead.

TroperWall / WikiMagic Cleanup

laserviking42 from End-World Since: Oct, 2015 Relationship Status: You're a beautiful woman, probably

#19538: Apr 12th 2022 at 9:17:55 AM

Could Have Avoided This is In-Universe Only. So unless one of the characters invokes this, not an example.

I didn't choose the troping life, the troping life chose me

ChloeJessica Since: Jun, 2020 Relationship Status: Awaiting my mail-order bride

#19539: Apr 12th 2022 at 1:02:01 PM

from Ballroom Blitz, Real Life:

When people objected to weddings in the Middle Ages, it was not unusual for it to end violently. Hence, the title of "Best Man" usually referred not only to trust or friendship, but fighting ability as well.
- In certain remote rural districts, this tradition has allegedly persisted into the modern age.
- It's also said that the groom stands on the right so that he could reach for his sword to fight off a vengeful family, either because of disapproval over the match or because the bride was kidnapped.

the latter two are natter, for one thing. "allegedly" is, like, an auto-cut for me, that line can go. is the first entry point legitimate, and if so can/should the third entry be condensed into it?

Edited by ChloeJessica on Apr 12th 2022 at 3:03:26 AM

themayorofsimpleton Now a lurker. Thanks for everything. | he/him from Elsewhere (Experienced, Not Yet Jaded) Relationship Status: Abstaining

Now a lurker. Thanks for everything. | he/him

#19540: Apr 12th 2022 at 1:17:18 PM

It's a bit of a general example, though I don't know if the rules on that are more relaxed for Real Life entries.

I don't know, I personally feel that the entry feels kind of shoehorn-y but I might be wrong. Agree on the other points you raised though.

Edited by themayorofsimpleton on Apr 12th 2022 at 4:18:15 AM

TRS Queue | Works That Require Cleanup of Complaining | Troper Wall

laserviking42 from End-World Since: Oct, 2015 Relationship Status: You're a beautiful woman, probably

#19541: Apr 12th 2022 at 2:31:26 PM

Not an example, it's too general. If there was a specific dustup named, that would be one thing, but "weddings during the Middle Ages" is super vague. Also the sub bullets are pure natter (allegedly, supposedly, it is said ...).

I also question the truthitude of these examples, as medieval weddings were essentially social contracts between two families so the idea that the bride and groom's family would be at each others throats is ... questionable.

I didn't choose the troping life, the troping life chose me

Hello83433 (Lucky 7) Relationship Status: Complex: I'm real, they are imaginary

#19542: Apr 12th 2022 at 4:13:49 PM

Interesting case of examples contradicting each other:

From Characters.Resident Evil 4: [Ashley Graham]

The Load: Averted. She makes herself useful on occasion, and when she's alone she can fend for herself if need be (well, when the player controls her, of course, her AI isn't quite that smart). Quite often Leon can tell her to hide in a dumpster where she can't be discovered, which makes escorting her a lot easier. On the other hand, if Ashley is ordered to wait, she will not move even if she is being attacked by enemies.

From TheLoad.Video Games:

Ashley Graham, from Resident Evil 4. In the game, you return her safely to the White House, which turns out to not be as easy as it sounds, for the chirpy First Daughter is heavily prone to danger. Whether she's cowering in fear in the line of fire, being kidnapped by spinning walls, eating up your health items, or shrieking HAAALP! and LEON! when snatched up, it barely justifies the bonus of her company in what can be a very long trek through Ganado-infested territory.

Based on the trope description, and looking at the YMMV page, I'd say the entry on the trope page is more accurate. The entry on the character page just comes off as trying to make her more competent than she is (the "occasional" modifier, the "player control" caveat, etc.). But what do we do in this case, this is the first time I've come across examples stating the exact opposite thing.

CSP Cleanup Thread | All that I ask for ... is diamonds and dance floors

laserviking42 from End-World Since: Oct, 2015 Relationship Status: You're a beautiful woman, probably

#19543: Apr 12th 2022 at 4:37:08 PM

I'd cut the top one regardless, because aversions aren't notable (and quite frankly it describes a rather weak aversion). Supposing everything in the second point is factual, you can just copy/paste it over to both pages.

I didn't choose the troping life, the troping life chose me

Shyhero Dylexic wrighter from The sofa (Troper Journeyman) Relationship Status: Omelette du fromage~

Dylexic wrighter

#19544: Apr 13th 2022 at 4:08:26 AM

Wedding Finale

The Unexpectables: The Epilogue focuses on the wedding of Task the Kolbot Ranger.

Tyan12345 Ray User Since: Apr, 2022 Relationship Status: I love you for psychological reasons

Ray User

#19545: Apr 13th 2022 at 7:37:59 AM

Is He-Man raypunk gothic?

He-Man uses a lot of future tech. while having fantasy elements. Additionaly the main villains have this palpatine-eque quality about them. Evil overlord, seemingly without back story, and using mystical powers. The world is also very alien compared to others. Womens clothing reflects the aesthetic of raygun gothic. Bright colors and mostly very minimal, at least for the main characters. The sci-fi stuff isnt really explained and there are veeeeery ancient powers at work. Im asking because it doesnt seem to be used as an example very ofter, while having many traits of Raygun Gothic

Oh My?

Synchronicity (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)

#19546: Apr 13th 2022 at 7:50:16 AM

Raygun Gothic is less about the plot and more about the aesthetic (midcentury view of the future, often informed by midcentury politics).

laserviking42 from End-World Since: Oct, 2015 Relationship Status: You're a beautiful woman, probably

#19547: Apr 13th 2022 at 8:01:16 AM

I guess it counts? It would definitely need to be fleshed out more on how the wedding tied up plot threads and made the finale.

I would say no. Raygun Gothic is a certain type of style that characterized sci-fi in the first half of the 20th century. Flash Gordon (serial) is probably one of the better known examples.

I didn't choose the troping life, the troping life chose me

ISS600 A complete mess. from Ireland Since: Nov, 2017 Relationship Status: watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ

A complete mess.

#19548: Apr 13th 2022 at 8:50:41 AM

https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=13543987200A54420100&page=780#comment-19490 Ages late but thanks dude for the advice. Very helpful. Just to clarify since it wasn't clear, the funny page is just for charting down ideas, funny scenarios etc. to write into the story. It isn't actually me saying that these examples will be funny. I am avoiding the Auto Erotic Troping entirely. Also, will add them, thanks.

I don't know what I'm doing honestly and I'm sorry for all the dumb questions. Also, I had no idea I had an account until like 2020.

StFan Since: Jan, 2001

#19549: Apr 13th 2022 at 10:15:58 AM

He-Man always struck me more as a blatant example of Science Fantasy as a genre.

Bullman "Cool. Coolcoolcool." Since: Jun, 2018 Relationship Status: Longing for my OTP

"Cool. Coolcoolcool."

#19550: Apr 13th 2022 at 10:22:14 AM

From Andi Mack:

Super Couple: Jonah/Cyrus and later TJ/Cyrus.

And from Power Rangers Time Force:

Super Couple: Jen and Wes are one of the most beloved and iconic ranger couples in Power Rangers history thanks to their great chemistry and interesting situation.

Super Couple is supposed to be about couples that capture the public's attention to the point of being know out side of their fanbases. However, and I say this as a fan of these shows, I don't think none fans of these would know them like say some of the examples on the main page. Thoughts?

Fan-Preferred Couple cleanup thread

Back Top

Total posts: 31,538