There’s a difference between a story that feels familiar and one that feels recycled. And that’s the thing with clichés, they aren’t evil. They became clichés because they worked… once. But if you’re trying to write fiction that stands out, you’ve got to do better than rinse and repeat.
So, here you’ll learn some of the most overused storytelling shortcuts and how to avoid falling into their traps. Or better yet, how to turn them into something worth reading.
1. The Chosen One
Whether you’d like to admit it or not, you already know this cliché —the kid with the scar, the ancient prophecy, or the magic they didn’t ask for. And, of course, let’s not forget that the entire fate of the universe is on their shoulders!
Examples:
- Harry Potter
- The Matrix
- Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Most writers crash and burn with the ‘chosen one’ trope because, let’s face it, there’s only so much suspense when the audience knows who’s going to save the world by page three.
Don’t take us wrong, though. We don’t hate this trope at all. You just have to make The Chosen One hurt more. And make the “destiny” feel earned, or even questionable.
2. The Love Triangle
We’ve seen this trope play out in Twilight, The Vampire Diaries, and The Hunger Games. And, honestly, nothing spices things up quite like a good old-fashioned love triangle.
However, sometimes it can come across as lazy writing, particularly when the entire plot revolves around who’s kissing whom.
That said, the trope can rise above the cliché if there’s a deeper central conflict and genuine character growth that doesn’t orbit entirely around the romantic tension. Because yes, people can have identities outside their love interest.
3. The Forbidden Love
As its name suggests, this trope centres on an impossible romance because, of course, something (or everything) is in the way —feuding families, huge social status gap, or just fate. Whatever it is, it captures readers’ attention.
Classic examples of forbidden love:
- Romeo + Juliet
- Bridgerton
- Brokeback Mountain
When you execute this trope properly, you open your story idea to various themes, such as sacrifice. However, if it lacks emotional depth, it risks falling into vain melodrama.
4. The Quest for Revenge
The revenge trope is all about a character who’s been wronged and won’t rest until they’ve made it right or at least made someone pay. It might be personal or political, coldly calculated or impulsively explosive. Either way, revenge arcs often blur the lines between hero and villain.
You’ve seen this before in:
- Kill Bill
- The Count of Monte Cristo
- John Wick
What makes this trope so gripping? The emotional stakes, the satisfaction, and the transformation (or not).
However, be warned: if your character’s motive is weak or their actions don’t escalate in meaningful ways, revenge plots can quickly lose their power.
5. The Evil Twin
Raised apart. Swapped at birth. Hidden away. Or simply born bad.
The evil twin trope is a delicious blend of drama, deception, and chaos. The problem? Predictability —one sibling walks the straight and narrow. The other? Not so much.
6. The Unlikely Hero
They’re not chosen, they’re not special or the strongest, and they’re definitely not ready. But somehow they’ll save the day. Yup, that’s how The Unlikely Hero plays out. And you’ve seen these unlikely heroes in films like Wall-E and Shaun of the Dead.
7. The Fakeout Death
In this trope, the main character will fall, fade, and we’ll cry. But then, surprise!, they’re back.
The Fakeout Death is one of fiction’s most gut-wrenching tropes because it employs shock, grief, and relief in rapid succession. Here’s how it works:
- The character “dies.”
- Everyone mourns.
- Cue the dramatic return.
Examples of Fakeout Deaths:
- Gandalf the Grey in The Lord of the Rings
- Loki in Thor / Marvel Cinematic Universe
- Jon Snow in Game of Thrones
8. The Voiceover Narration
Voiceover narration can elevate a story or completely derail it.
When done right, it adds poetic insight, emotional weight, or sharp commentary. On the other hand, if used poorly, it becomes a lazy shortcut for exposition or character development.
Famous Examples :
- GoodFellas
- Forrest Gump
- The Wonder Years
9. The Surprise Family Connection
The villain removes their mask, or someone blurts out a bombshell over dinner, and suddenly, everything changes. Sounds familiar?
The Surprise Family Connection trope drops a secret bloodline reveal at a pivotal moment. Usually, to raise emotional stakes, add internal conflict, or justify some character’s behaviour.
Here’s how it works:
- A character learns they’re related to someone significant (often the antagonist).
- This revelation shifts the emotional center of the story.
And when it works, it adds psychological weight to a conflict, explains long-standing secrets or behaviours, and forces characters to question their identity.
But it won’t work if it’s dropped too late to feel meaningful, contradicts previous logic or character arcs, or if it exists solely for shock value.
Examples:
- Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
- Black Panther
- Thor: Ragnarok
10. The Secret Identity
They seem ordinary, and they want to seem ordinary. But behind the mild-mannered job title, polite dinner parties, or clean-cut haircut is something (or someone) else entirely.
The Secret Identity trope revolves around characters leading double lives—usually to protect themselves, someone they love, or to accomplish something significant and perilous.
And while it’s most common in superhero stories, this cliché can also be in fantasy, thrillers, and even romance.
Examples:
- V for Vendetta
- The Americans (TV series)
- Pretty Little Liars
11. The Group of Misfits
This trope is all about that ragtag bunch of weirdos, rebels, burnouts, loners, and lovable disasters.
Most of the time, they want absolutely nothing to do with each other. But whether it’s by accident, desperation, or sheer lack of options, they end up stuck together.
Classic Misfit Crew Examples:
- Guardians of the Galaxy
- The Breakfast Club
- Ocean’s Eleven
12. False Utopia
The False Utopia trope reveals a society that appears perfect, but only on the surface. Underneath the glossy exterior? Pure chaos brewing.
False Utopias Examples:
- The Giver by Lois Lowry
- Delirium by Lauren Oliver
- Matched by Ally Condie
13. Oppressive Government
In a dystopian trope, the oppressor might be a corrupt government, a powerful corporation, or an all-knowing AI. But, no matter the form, it thrives on obedience until someone refuses to fall in line.
A story with an oppressive government typically features a rebellion, a population divided into strict categories, and a healthy dose of fear to keep the oppressed in line.
Examples:
- 1984 by George Orwell
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
- The Maze Runner by James Dashner
14. The Reluctant Hero
They didn’t ask for greatness or the spotlight. But then came the incident, the call, the responsibility, and they couldn’t say no. Or at least, they tried not to say yes for as long as humanly possible. That’s the Reluctant Hero: the character who’s dragged into the story kicking and screaming.
What makes this trope popular?
- They’re relatable.
- They bring natural humour.
- There’s emotional depth. They fit in any genre.
Popular Examples of the Reluctant Hero
- John McClane – Die Hard: A cop just wants to reconcile with his wife, who ends up single-handedly battling terrorists in a skyscraper.
- Peter Parker / Spider-Man – Spider-Man (Sam Raimi’s trilogy and beyond): A regular teenager juggling high school, family, and, suddenly, superpowers, along with the crushing responsibility they bring.
How to Avoid Clichés With ChatGPT’s Help
Aside from simplifying your sentences, you can also use ChatGPT to avoid storytelling clichés. Simply enter this prompt:
I am writing a story about [insert the story info]. The main conflict is [insert conflict info], while the theme is [insert your story theme].
Your task is to detect clichés and suggest edits to improve originality and impact. Focus on overused language, plot elements, or character types, and propose clearer, more creative alternatives.Clichés Aren’t the Enemy
There are a lot of movies and books that use familiar and somewhat overdone tropes, but what makes some of them stand out? They have depth, stakes, and even fresh perspectives to turn even the most worn clichés into something memorable.