What is a trope?

by Suzanne Lieurance

Maybe you’ve heard the term “trope” before but aren’t clear about what a trope is.

So, what is a trope?

Well, in fiction, a “trope” refers to a common theme, motif, or device that is recognizable and frequently used within a particular genre or across various genres.

Tropes are established patterns or conventions that audiences can quickly identify and understand, often helping to set expectations or convey specific ideas.

While they can sometimes be seen as clichés if overused, tropes are also essential storytelling tools that can provide structure and familiarity, allowing writers to build upon or subvert these elements to create fresh and engaging stories.

Here are some common tropes across different genres, along with explanations:

Genre: Fantasy

Trope #1. The Chosen One

A character, often a young and seemingly ordinary person, destined to save the world or achieve great things.

Examples include Harry Potter and Frodo Baggins.

Trope #2. Magic System

A set of rules that govern how magic works in the world.

It can range from soft magic (vague and mysterious) to hard magic (well-defined and structured).

Trope #3. Epic Quest

A grand adventure, often involving a journey to achieve a significant goal, like destroying a powerful artifact or saving the realm.

Trope #4. Ancient Prophecy

A foretelling of future events that usually plays a crucial role in the storyline.

Characters often strive to fulfill or prevent the prophecy.

Genre: Science Fiction

Trope #1. Space Travel

The exploration and travel through outer space, often involving advanced technology like faster-than-light travel or starships.

Trope #2. AI and Robots

Artificial intelligence and robots play significant roles, raising questions about consciousness, morality, and the future of humanity.

Trope #3. Dystopian Society

A depiction of a future world that is grim and oppressive, often highlighting the consequences of political or technological trends.

Trope #4. Alien Encounters

Interaction with extraterrestrial life forms, which can range from hostile invasions to peaceful coexistence and collaboration.

Genre: Mystery

Trope #1. Whodunit

A classic mystery structure where the identity of the perpetrator is unknown until the climax of the story.

The reader follows the detective’s investigation.

Trope #2. Red Herrings

Red herrings are both a trope and an element in mysteries.

As a trope, they are a widely recognized and commonly used device within the mystery genre, designed to mislead readers or characters and divert their attention away from the actual solution or perpetrator.

As an element, they serve the functional purpose of adding complexity, suspense, and intrigue to the plot by introducing false clues or misleading information that complicates the investigation.

Thus, red herrings play a significant role in shaping the narrative structure and maintaining the suspense that is crucial to mystery stories.

Trope #3. Locked Room Mystery

A crime (often a murder) committed under seemingly impossible circumstances, typically in a confined space with no apparent exit for the culprit.

Trope #4. Amateur Sleuth

An ordinary person, often with no formal training in investigation, who solves crimes through wit, intuition, and determination.

Genre: Romance

Trope #1. Enemies to Lovers

Characters who start off with intense dislike or rivalry but gradually fall in love through their interactions and shared experiences.

Trope #2. Love Triangle

A romantic relationship involving three people, creating tension and conflict as one person must choose between two potential partners.

Trope #3. Forbidden Love

A romance that faces significant obstacles or disapproval from society, family, or circumstances, making the relationship challenging.

Trope #4. Second Chance Romance

A story where former lovers reunite and rekindle their romance, often after overcoming past misunderstandings or personal growth.

Genre: Horror

Trope #1. The Final Girl

The last surviving character, usually a female, who confronts the antagonist and often defeats them, embodying resilience and courage.

Trope #2. Haunted House

A setting where supernatural occurrences and malevolent spirits create fear and danger for the characters.

It often holds a dark history.

Trope #3. Body Horror

Focuses on the grotesque transformation or mutilation of the human body, evoking fear through physical distortion and suffering.

Trope #4. Psychological Horror

Emphasizes the mental and emotional states of the characters, creating fear through paranoia, madness, and unseen threats.

Genre: Thriller

Trope #1. Race Against Time

Characters must accomplish a critical task within a limited timeframe, heightening tension and urgency.

Trope #2. Conspiracy

A plot where characters uncover a secret and often malevolent plan orchestrated by powerful organizations or individuals.

Trope #3. Unreliable Narrator

A narrator whose credibility is compromised, creating suspense as the reader questions the truth of the narrative.

Trope #4. High Stakes

The protagonist’s actions have significant consequences, often involving danger to lives, nations, or the world, making the outcome crucial.

These tropes help establish expectations and provide a framework for storytelling within each genre.

As a writer, you can play with these elements, either adhering to or subverting them, to create engaging and memorable stories.

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