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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

Malady (X-Troper)
#24301: Dec 5th 2022 at 7:03:06 PM

Environmental Symbolism:

  • Shantae and the Seven Sirens: Beginner Mode's accompanying image conveys the mode's easiness through the carefree imagery of Shantae smiling and flying a kite with a butterfly flying and a flower blooming, all on a ground of green grass.

Disambig Needed: Help with those issues! tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=13324299140A37493800&page=24#comment-576
ElRise I fix my examples all the time from The Dying City (Life not ruined yet) Relationship Status: Yes, I'm alone, but I'm alone and free
I fix my examples all the time
#24302: Dec 5th 2022 at 7:53:38 PM

Are the following two examples correct?

Characters.Metal Gear Rising Revengeance:

  • Deadpan Snarker: Deconstructed. He's more of a goof than any other combatant in the game, but both the main story and his DLC imply that he isn't fighting at his full potential because he doesn't take fights seriously. Even when Sam fights Armstrong, a man he intensely hated, his taunts just mock the guy's age and ask if he conducts every "job interview" like this.
Characters.Metal Gear Senator Armstrong:
  • Deadpan Snarker: It's usually drowned out by him being a total Large Ham, but his sense of wit during his more sedate moments is incredibly dry.
    Raiden: How the hell did you get elected...
    Armstrong: Well, I don't write my own speeches.

Edited by ElRise on Dec 5th 2022 at 11:54:04 PM

Graffiti Wall
laserviking42 from End-World Since: Oct, 2015 Relationship Status: You're a beautiful woman, probably
#24303: Dec 5th 2022 at 8:11:23 PM

[up]First entry doesn't really focus on the snark at all. There doesn't seem to be any actual deconstruction (where you set up a trope, then play it out "realistically"), and I'm not sure what it's trying to say.

Second one is using quotes in place of context, which is a no-no. Even with the quotes, I don't see any deadpan, and only a hint of snark.

I didn't choose the troping life, the troping life chose me
TrendingToon1 Since: Apr, 2015
#24304: Dec 5th 2022 at 9:17:34 PM

Re-posting this question I asked earlier in case you forgot.

RandomTroper123 She / Her from I'll let you guess... (Not-So-Newbie) Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
She / Her
#24305: Dec 5th 2022 at 10:55:16 PM

[up][up]I disagree on the second example since it seemed to just be using quotes as an example as it did mention he has a dry wit as context. Also, the second paragraph on Deadpan Snarker states at its end that the "Deadpan" part is no longer part of the trope.

[up]It doesn't sound like either to me; it doesn't count as Arson, Murder, and Jaywalking since it didn't have strong thingies then a weak one. It also doesn't count as Bread, Eggs, Milk, Squick since I don't feel the penultimate or last thing is disturbing.

jahman Since: Dec, 2014 Relationship Status: Dancing with myself
#24306: Dec 6th 2022 at 1:12:38 AM

Is there a trope that describes a training trip?

Amonimus the "Retromancer" from <<|Wiki Talk|>> (Sergeant) Relationship Status: In another castle
isoycrazy Lord of the Blue Star Since: May, 2011 Relationship Status: Abstaining
Lord of the Blue Star
#24308: Dec 6th 2022 at 2:47:16 AM

A repost from here and here

—-

I posted this here on the Asshole Victim clean up forum four days ago but no one has even added more to it. Reposting here:

This is from Knives Out. I removed the spoilers for ease of assessment:

  • Asshole Victim: Many, or none, depending on your views. In order:
    • spoiler:Harlan behaves like a jerk to his whole family on his birthday (firing Walt seems particularly low) and then dies. He may be doing the "Cruel to Be Kind" thing, or he's just a prick]].
    • spoiler:Walt worked for his Dad his whole adult life, and is left shocked and bereft twice when he's fired and cut out of the will. He's also the first to threaten Marta under a thin veneer of friendliness and familiarity]].
    • spoiler:All of the family are cut out of the will and behave like roaring jackals to try and get what they see as their share back]].
    • spoiler:Joni and Meg are supposed to be the most likable of the family, but the first is robbing her father-in-law and the second turns on her friend (Marta) at the first opportunity. Meg does seem to feel guilty immediately; but they're both still assholes who get left with nothing anyway.]]
    • spoiler:Linda is one of the quickest to rage over whatever situation the family is in, but she's on good terms with her Dad. He disinherits her anyway; her son is (correctly) arrested for murder and she finds out her husband is cheating on her.]]

I don't know if any qualify. The opening line seems to play these as arguable, which tropes are not. And the "victims" I don't think meet the standard. Harlan was a jerk but that doesn't meet the repugnant standard.

Amonimus the "Retromancer" from <<|Wiki Talk|>> (Sergeant) Relationship Status: In another castle
the "Retromancer"
#24309: Dec 6th 2022 at 2:56:39 AM

[up]

  • Harlan:
    • How he dies?
    • The second sentence is neither needed or clear.
  • Walt: If the second sentence is what makes him unsympathetic and is chronologically earlier, it's better to place it first. If not then it may not be an example.
  • All of the family: Not an example.
  • Joni and Meg: This writing contradicts itself.
  • Linda: Doesn't mention being Asshole.

TroperWall / WikiMagic Cleanup
isoycrazy Lord of the Blue Star Since: May, 2011 Relationship Status: Abstaining
Lord of the Blue Star
#24310: Dec 6th 2022 at 4:00:56 AM

Harlan kills himself. He and his nurse Marta are tricked into thinking he was given the wrong medicine by Harlan's grandson switching labels on the drugs. The grandson is upset the family is being written out of the will in favor of Marta. So rather than let Marta become implicated in his death, he concocts a ploy to hide Marta's involvement that culminates in him slitting his own throat.

Edited by isoycrazy on Dec 6th 2022 at 7:01:45 AM

Amonimus the "Retromancer" from <<|Wiki Talk|>> (Sergeant) Relationship Status: In another castle
the "Retromancer"
#24311: Dec 6th 2022 at 4:03:16 AM

I'm leaning on that none qualify.

TroperWall / WikiMagic Cleanup
BlackFaithStar [Hiatus til March] from 🇲🇾 (UTC plus 8) (Less Newbie) Relationship Status: Longing for my OTP
[Hiatus til March]
#24312: Dec 6th 2022 at 4:52:43 AM

Is We Can Rebuild Him flexible enough for giving someone technological enhancements to help them live through a disease? Here's an example I have in mind.

  • Alan Alone: After being diagnosed with bone cancer, the titular character, Alan's body was given technological enhancements, allowing more than just living through the disease, such as extra durability. The parents are aware, but it comes as a Robotic Reveal to Alan himself.

When you're alone I'm reaching out to let you know that you're far from strangers, like the savior
Libraryseraph uu~ from Canada (Handed A Sword) Relationship Status: Raising My Lily Rank With You
uu~
#24313: Dec 6th 2022 at 8:41:22 AM

[up] I think it should be, but when it comes to tropes are Flexible I'd look for a few more comments

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FOR MARIA
ElRise I fix my examples all the time from The Dying City (Life not ruined yet) Relationship Status: Yes, I'm alone, but I'm alone and free
I fix my examples all the time
#24314: Dec 6th 2022 at 9:11:40 AM

Found this example in Main.Katanas Are Just Better.

  • Cyberpunk: Another Daybreak: During a shootout in a Mexican megabuilding, V apparently managed to find Honjo Masamune, a priceless national treasure-class sword forged by Masamune himself to cut through "a little more than half" of the eighty-nine gang-bangers he admits to killing with Jackie Welles. Despite the sword being nearly eight centuries old, it cut through meat and chrome like a knife through butter and makes him the talk of Arasaka's Counter-Intel office.
The above context boils down to Absurdly Sharp Blade and Clean Cut. It doesn't say anything about how the katana is better than other weapons, making it misuse. Thoughts?

Graffiti Wall
Libraryseraph uu~ from Canada (Handed A Sword) Relationship Status: Raising My Lily Rank With You
uu~
#24315: Dec 6th 2022 at 9:13:22 AM

Yeah, it's got plenty of context, but none for Katanas Are Just Better. Comment it out and put a note next to the comment saying it's missing that specific context?

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FOR MARIA
KOman 'Sup? Since: Jul, 2013
'Sup?
#24316: Dec 6th 2022 at 11:26:21 AM

From YMMV.Puella Magi Madoka Magica

  • Diagnosed by the Audience: Alongside Homura's former heart condition, she shows a couple signs of being on the autism spectrum, such as her mostly unemotional face, monotone speech, and clumsiness before she made her contract. Her emotionless behavior could alternately be due to PTSD, since she was much more openly emotional before she became a magical girl, and didn't become as emotionless until she went through numerous time loops where she failed to save Madoka and repeatedly watched her fellow magical girls die.

Homura was originally clumsy because she was confined to a hospital bed for months. She wasn't originally unemotional; she simply started repressing her feelings as she went through time loops. The few emotional outbursts we get don't really seem like PTSD either.

¿?¡!
AegisP Kindhearted SSSSSNAKE Man Since: Oct, 2014 Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
Kindhearted SSSSSNAKE Man
#24317: Dec 6th 2022 at 12:30:01 PM

I dont think that trope is required to be actual canon anymore.

As long as this flower is in my heart. My Strength will flow without end.
WarJay77 It's NaNo, Bay-beeee! (8,356/50,000) from My Writing Cave (Troper Knight) Relationship Status: Armed with the Power of Love
It's NaNo, Bay-beeee! (8,356/50,000)
#24318: Dec 6th 2022 at 12:30:36 PM

It never was. It's about the audience interpreting a character as having a disorder; no more, no less.

Working on: Author Appeal | Sandbox | Troper Wall
AegisP Kindhearted SSSSSNAKE Man Since: Oct, 2014 Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
Kindhearted SSSSSNAKE Man
#24319: Dec 6th 2022 at 12:31:59 PM

There, phrased it better than I ever could.

As long as this flower is in my heart. My Strength will flow without end.
Synchronicity (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#24320: Dec 6th 2022 at 12:34:53 PM

Well, it doesn't have the "a significant part of the audience interprets these things as" context, which tends to plague DBTA entries.

WarJay77 It's NaNo, Bay-beeee! (8,356/50,000) from My Writing Cave (Troper Knight) Relationship Status: Armed with the Power of Love
It's NaNo, Bay-beeee! (8,356/50,000)
#24321: Dec 6th 2022 at 12:35:35 PM

That's also fair. My point is though that it means nothing to say that Homura doesn't canonically have PTSD.

Working on: Author Appeal | Sandbox | Troper Wall
mightymewtron Word Up from New New York Since: Oct, 2012 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
Word Up
#24322: Dec 6th 2022 at 1:01:09 PM

Well, it doesn't have the "a significant part of the audience interprets these things as" context, which tends to plague DBTA entries.

If the only thing necessary to add context is the same exact words on every single entry, then is the "context" really that necessary, or at a certain point can we just assume it's referring to a good chunk of the audience as we do most other audience reactions?

I do some cleanup and then I enjoy shows you probably think are cringe.
MaeBea from Satan's basement Since: Jul, 2021 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
#24323: Dec 6th 2022 at 1:53:09 PM

Would thisnote  be an example of Made of Explodium?

"Squid has to go to market. He's had to go to market for as long as he's sucked water."
KOman 'Sup? Since: Jul, 2013
'Sup?
#24324: Dec 6th 2022 at 1:53:15 PM

My point is that she doesn't really show any symptoms of PTSD, and the symptoms of autism are being misattributed when there's other reasons for her acting that way.

¿?¡!
WarJay77 It's NaNo, Bay-beeee! (8,356/50,000) from My Writing Cave (Troper Knight) Relationship Status: Armed with the Power of Love
It's NaNo, Bay-beeee! (8,356/50,000)
#24325: Dec 6th 2022 at 1:57:28 PM

It's an Audience Reaction my dude, facts and logic mean nothing

Working on: Author Appeal | Sandbox | Troper Wall

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