The 50 Most Common Storytelling Clichés

Mar 10, 2023
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The 50 Most Common Storytelling Clichés
  • The chosen one: This is a character who is destined to save the world or accomplish a great task. This character is often given special powers or abilities that make them unique and powerful.

  • Love at first sight: This is a plot device where the two main characters fall in love with each other immediately upon meeting, without any development or reason for their attraction.

  • The villain monologue: This is when the villain explains their entire plan to the hero, giving them a chance to escape or thwart their plan.

  • The final battle: This is a climactic fight between the hero and the villain, where the fate of the world hangs in the balance.

  • Deus ex machina: This is a plot device where an unexpected event or character comes in at the last moment to solve the conflict and save the day.

  • The mentor dies: This is when the wise mentor figure dies, usually to motivate the hero to take up their mantle and continue their quest.

  • The hero’s journey: This is a classic storytelling trope where the hero goes on a journey of self-discovery, facing trials and challenges along the way.

  • The misunderstood villain: This is when the villain is portrayed as having good intentions or a sympathetic backstory, making it hard to see them as a true villain.

  • The happy ending: This is when all the conflicts are resolved, and the characters end up living happily ever after.

  • The damsel in distress: This is a plot device where the female character is often kidnapped or in danger, and the hero must rescue her.

  • The twist ending: This is when the story takes a sudden turn that is meant to surprise the reader or viewer but has become overused and predictable.

  • The sidekick: This is a character who accompanies the hero and provides comic relief or support, often being overshadowed by the hero.

  • The tragic backstory: This is when a character has a sad or traumatic past that is meant to evoke sympathy from the audience.

  • The magical artifact: This is a powerful object that the characters seek, often being the key to their quest.

  • The dead parent: This is a common backstory where the hero has lost one or both parents, motivating them to take action or seek revenge.

  • The chosen one prophecy: This is when a prophecy foretells the arrival of a chosen hero who will save the world from an impending disaster.

  • The evil empire: This is a common trope where a powerful empire or organization is the main antagonist, often being authoritarian or oppressive.

  • The hero’s sacrifice: This is when the hero makes a selfless sacrifice, often leading to their death, to save others or complete their quest.

  • The love triangle: This is when there is a romantic relationship between three characters, often causing conflict and drama.

  • The training montage: This is a common trope where the hero undergoes intense training or preparation, often accompanied by uplifting music and quick cuts.

  • The unrequited love: This is when a character is in love with someone who doesn’t reciprocate their feelings.

  • The unreliable narrator: This is when the story is told from the perspective of a narrator who may not be telling the truth or may have a biased view of events.

  • The forbidden love: This is when the characters are in love but their relationship is forbidden or taboo in some way, such as due to social class, race, or age differences.

  • The mentor figure is secretly the villain: This is when the wise mentor figure is revealed to be the villain or to have a hidden agenda.

  • The fake-out death: This is when a character appears to die but later is revealed to have survived.

  • The “chosen one” is actually the villain: This is when the character who was believed to be the chosen hero is revealed to be the main antagonist.

  • The time loop: This is a plot device where the characters are stuck in a time loop and must relive the same day or period of time over and over.

  • The betrayal: This is when a character betrays the hero or the group, often leading to a dramatic plot twist.

  • The clueless authority figure: This is when the authority figure in the story is portrayed as being out of touch or incompetent.

  • The dead love interest: This is when the love interest of the hero is killed off, motivating the hero to seek revenge or justice.

  • The voiceover narration: This is when a character provides a voiceover narration to the story.

  • The quest for revenge: This is when the hero is motivated by a desire for revenge against the antagonist.

  • The “meet cute”: This is a common trope in romantic comedies where the two love interests meet in an unlikely or humorous way.

  • The villain who wants to destroy the world just because: This is a common trope where the villain’s motives for wanting to destroy the world are never explained.

  • The chosen one has a special birthmark or symbol: This is when the chosen hero has a special birthmark or symbol that marks them as special or destined for greatness.

  • The nerdy character who becomes cool: This is a common trope where a nerdy or socially awkward character becomes popular or cool.

  • The final countdown: This is when the characters have a limited amount of time to complete their mission before a deadline or disaster occurs.

  • The fated love: This is when the characters are destined to be together, often due to a prophecy or magical spell.

  • The “evil twin” plot twist: This is when a character is revealed to have an evil twin or doppelganger who is causing trouble.

  • The unlikely hero: This is when a seemingly ordinary or unremarkable character rises to the occasion and becomes a hero.

  • The “big misunderstanding”: This is a plot device where the conflict is caused by a misunderstanding between characters that could easily be resolved if they just talked to each other

  • The chosen one’s mentor dies: This is when the mentor figure of the chosen hero dies, motivating the hero to continue on their quest alone.

  • The surprise family connection: This is when a character is revealed to be related to another character, often the main antagonist.

  • The “bad guy turns good” plot twist: This is when a character who was originally the villain switches sides and joins the hero.

  • The amnesia plot device: This is when a character suffers from memory loss, often as a result of a traumatic event, and must regain their memories to solve a mystery or piece together their past.

  • The character who refuses to ask for help: This is when a character refuses to ask for help, even when it’s clear that they need it, leading to even more trouble.

  • The secret identity: This is when a character has a secret identity or alter ego, often to protect themselves or others.

  • The last-minute escape: This is when a character narrowly escapes danger at the last minute, often through luck or quick thinking.

  • The big battle finale: This is when the story builds up to a big battle or showdown between the hero and villain.

  • The group of misfits: This is when a group of diverse and often oddball characters comes together to achieve a common goal.