Mon. Jan 29th, 2024

Storytellers may use cliches for their familiarity, emotional impact, simplicity, or due to time constraints or a lack of creativity. It is important for writers to be mindful of their use of cliches and to strive for originality and depth in their storytelling. While it is okay to use cliches occasionally, it is important to avoid relying too heavily on them and to put a unique spin on familiar themes or concepts.

Here is a list of common storytelling cliches:

  1. The “chosen one” trope: This cliche involves a character who is uniquely special or gifted and is destined to save the world. This type of character is often portrayed as the only one who is capable of solving a problem or defeating a powerful enemy. While this trope can be effective in certain stories, it can also be overused and can make other characters seem less important or capable.
  2. Love at first sight: This cliche portrays love as something that happens instantly and without any real effort or understanding of the other person. This can make love seem shallow and unrealistic, and it can also diminish the importance of building a strong and meaningful relationship.
  3. The “perfect” hero: This type of character is flawless and always makes the right decisions, which can make them seem unrealistic and unrelatable. A hero who is too perfect can also be boring to read about, as they have no flaws or vulnerabilities to make them interesting or complex.
  4. The “damsel in distress”: This cliche involves a female character who is constantly in need of rescuing by a male hero. This trope can be damaging as it reinforces gender stereotypes and suggests that women are helpless and in need of a man to save them.
  5. The “evil” villain: Villains are often depicted as one-dimensional and purely evil, with no redeeming qualities or motivations. This can make them seem unrealistic and uninteresting, as most people are not completely good or completely evil. Giving villains more depth and complexity can make them more believable and compelling.
  6. The “unexpected” twist: This cliche involves a plot twist that is meant to shock the reader, but is often predictable and overused. To be effective, a plot twist should be surprising but also make sense within the context of the story.
  7. The “mentor” character: This character is often an older, wise figure who serves as a guide or teacher for the main character. While this trope can be helpful in certain stories, it can also be overused and can make the main character seem less capable or independent.
  8. The “chosen one’s” journey: This cliche involves the main character going on a journey to fulfill their destiny or overcome some great challenge. While this can be a compelling storyline, it can also be overused and can make the story feel formulaic.
  9. The “manic pixie dream girl”: This cliche involves a female character who is depicted as quirky and unconventional, and is meant to help the male protagonist find himself. This trope is often criticized for objectifying and reducing women to a supporting role in a man’s story.
  10. The “unrequited love” storyline: This cliche involves a character who is in love with someone who does not return their feelings, often leading to heartbreak and drama. While this can be a poignant and emotional story, it can also be overused and can make the character who is in love seem desperate or obsessive.

Storytelling cliches can be both good and bad, depending on how they are used. On the one hand, cliches can provide a familiar structure or theme that can help to make a story more accessible and easy to follow. They can also help to evoke certain emotions or feelings in the reader, such as nostalgia or excitement.

However, cliches can also be overused and can make a story feel predictable or formulaic. They can also reinforce negative stereotypes or reinforce damaging ideas about relationships, gender, or other social issues.

Overall, it is important for writers to be mindful of their use of cliches and to strive for originality and depth in their storytelling. While it is okay to use cliches occasionally, it is important to avoid relying too heavily on them and to put a unique spin on familiar themes or concepts.

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