Okay, since I don’t have much to do right now (I’m planning on resuming work on my projects tomorrow), I’m going to analyse some random tropes, and see whether I would use them in my projects. One thing to note, though, tropes are not clichés. Tropes are tools for the writer to use; they are not overused lazy writer makers. Most tropes, if used by a good enough writer, can be pulled of, regardless of its frequency of use throughout media. Every now and then, I will analyse six random tropes (and I really mean “random”; I’m going to use the “random trope” button on TV Tropes) and post them here.
To begin, Xtreme Kool Letterz. Now, for this trope, I would not be caught dead using this; I find this just plain ridiculous, and for someone whose suspension of disbelief can be shattered by a single typo, very annoying. It is said that advertisers and marketers use this to appeal to the younger generation. But, the thing is, it has lost its appeal almost as soon as it first appeared, and nowadays, it is mainly done to get a cheap laugh (or to mock advertisers). Related to this is the use of the “backwards R” in faux-Cyrillic, and the “heavy metal umlaut”. “Leet speak” is a similar phenomenon, which is often banned by many forums. Text speak is similar to, but not the same as, leet speak, and I can only tolerate in SMS and Twitter.
What this trope entails is replacing letters and sequences of letters with letters and/or sequences which appear “cooler” (such as K for C, Z for S, or replacing “ex” with X). Interestingly, the application of this trope favours letters with straight, angular shapes instead of curved shapes.
Would I use it: Never
My impression of it: Utterly ridiculous, unless the spelling is actually correct according to the standard of whatever country the writer is in (e.g. Americans exclusively use “-ize”; the British use both “-ize” and “-ise”, but favour the former; while Australians favour “-ise”). If you’re a writer or a parent (especially if you’re a parent) do NOT use this.
Other considerations: This mainly applies to languages written in Latin script. Other scripts may or may not have equivalents of this trope. For example, Japanese has three different writing systems: two sets of kana, and kanji. Each has its own connotations when used in this manner (katakana indicates a foreign accent or an apparent inability to speak quietly, hiragana is “cuter” and more feminine, and using kanji as ateji is currently considered “cool”).
Next, My Own Private “I Do”. What this means is, that a couple has two weddings: a private one and a public one. There are two subtropes, differing in the order of the ceremonies. The first entails a couple getting wed in private, but then deciding that they want a big ceremony after all. The second entails a big wedding being planned, but the couple running away (for whatever reason) and having their own private ceremony, then deciding to return to the wedding. If done well, this can be very heartwarming, as it shows that getting married is more important than the flashy wedding itself, and that the couple would prefer to handle things by themselves.
Would I use it: Not really; marriage is not an important part of my projects. And besides, the characters I select to be protagonists are too young to get married; most weddings would happen either during a time skip or “off-screen” as they only involve secondary characters.
My impression of it: While I haven’t seen this trope much, I find this to be heartwarming, especially if it is part of the climax.
Next, Underboobs. Basically, a woman’s outfit is showing the undersides of her breasts. This is a fanservice trope, so I’ll be brief. It is pure fanservice. That means, it’s tasteless. I don’t like seeing it, and I’m sure many females don’t like it either. Not to mention that it’s unrealistic; even breathing wrong can cause a wardrobe malfunction.
Would I use it: Never
My impression of it: No, no, no. Write with your head, not your (censored). You are writing a story, not porn or erotica.
Next, Homemade Inventions. It’s exactly as it says, homemade inventions. This can range from something as simple as extra legs on a chair attached with hinges, to a full-blown time machine. But in general, they tend to look crude and unpolished. This is usually a sign of a genius inventor. In real life, this is possible, but there are many safety issues which can make this trope a tad unrealistic (I mean, there aren’t many places which sell plutonium rods).
Would I use it: Maybe. The creation of new Magic Activation Devices can be done by someone like Hiyori, but often there is no need. As for something bigger… no.
My impression of it: Okay, as long as the inventions themselves can be assembled and used safely. If they’re dangerous, then it’ll make me ask why the authorities aren’t doing anything.
Next, the stock phrase I’ll Be Your Best Friend. This entails someone trying to convince another person to do something by saying this particular line. Needless to say, this won’t work, and any character who uses this tactic is just plain stupid. Offering, say, five bucks as well isn’t much better. Most of the time, this trope is used to show that the character who said this line cannot negotiate at all, or the character is just stupid. If someone does fall for it, then he/she is even more stupid.
Would I use it: Only to show someone’s stupidity, and to get some laughs as well.
My impression of it: It’s fine to use it as comedy. But anyone who uses this in any serious situation is unrealisticially stupid.
Next, Hollywood Tactics. This is broad enough that it requires an entire post just to analyse. But I’ll do a general summary here. This trope is, basically, using tactics which are plain wrong for the situation given. Listed on the article:
- Light cavalry charging once, and in the middle. Light cavalry are typically used for flanking, since, well, they’re not heavy enough to break through enemy lines.
- No formations in armies. Large-scale battles are done in formation for a reason.
- Flaming arrows. There isn’t much advantage to setting arrows on fire and shooting them at the enemy army; you’re actually more likely to kill the enemy by sticking the arrow in the dirt then picking it up and shooting it (if the enemy does not keel over immediately, then he’ll die of infection). However, flaming arrows are good at burning down stuff (such as buildings).
- Storming the castle first up. No, that will only lead to a bloodbath. In real life, this was only a last resort, when starving the defenders didn’t work, trying to tunnel in didn’t work, convincing someone to open the gates for you didn’t work, etc., as fortifications were designed to give maximum advantage to the defenders.
- Open-field warfare with modern or futuristic weapons. World War I devolved into trench warfare on the Western Front because of the resulting bloodbath open warfare would bring.
- No aerial or artillery support for modern armies. You’re not going to defeat the opposing forces with only assault rifles, pistols and knives. You need to deal death from a distance.
- Instead of using guided missiles, using lots of bullets against armour, aircraft, or agile targets. If you try, I’m sure you’ll be court-martialled for the massive amounts of collateral damage you’ve done.
- Using weapons with long reload times when a faster weapon is available. I’m sorry, but in the time you’ve tried to reload your RPG after it missed, your enemy has riddled you with bullets from his assault rifle.
- Not flanking or distracting the enemy with covering fire. Say what you will about the inaccuracy of soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, the reason we fire willy-nilly at the enemy is to pin them down and distract them, not necessarily kill or disable them.
- Not considering the third dimension in space or aerial battles. What works with a wet navy won’t work in the air or in space. And if you can fly in air, fly, don’t run. As for space, well, space is not an ocean.
- Moving within visual range despite having to technology to lock on to the enemy from outside visual range. Or sometimes not having beyond visual range (BVR) technology when one expects it to be available. Sure, battles may look less exciting, but the reality is, in the modern era, many dogfights are fought from BVR. Space battles may take place over light seconds (read: hundreds of thousands of kilometres).
- Using obsolete technology alongside technology which made them obsolete. Sure, swords and horses are cool, but your soldiers aren’t magicians. They’re going to be cut down by the very technology which made their weapons and tactics obsolete.
- Only one type of weapon in the military. Yeah… no. Each weapon has its purpose; don’t choose a particular weapon just because it’s your favourite.
- Having stealth capability, then doing something which would blatantly blow your cover. What’s the point of stealth technology if you won’t be stealthy?
- The bad guys attacking the hero one-by-one. A more pragmatic army would simply dogpile the hero.
- If doing a maneuver immediately is far more advantageous, wait until the last second. Okay…
- Generals in the front lines, if they’re not any better than some random grunt in your army. Please take a seat while we mourn the loss of one of our greatest military minds.
- “Cover” which is useless or dangerous. Who said it was a good idea to take cover behind several containers of blasting caps? “Cover” means something which will protect you, not something which will hide you.
- “Cooking” grenades. You’re more likely to lose your arm than to get a grenade exploding less than a second after it lands near your enemy, and this is because grenade fuses are not precise.
- Unrealistically harsh training programs. Putting recruits through hell and back isn’t going to do their mental health any good.
Would I use it: Not on purpose
My impression of it: Use of blatantly wrong tactics can ruin my suspension of disbelief. However, I’m willing to let some of these tactics pass. I also don’t mind them being used for comedic purposes, or to show how poor the general is.
And that’ll be it for now.
P.S. Japanese voice actress Yumiri Hanamori is now 19 years old. I wish her a happy birthday.
P.P.S. If you don’t know yet, several artists are drawing or have drawn support illustrations for Magic of Stella. All in all, six will be posted in the lead up to the premiere of its anime.
- First illustration: Cherry Arai (Three Leaves, Three Colors, Manga Time Kirara; A Strawberry in Soda Water, Manga Time Kirara MAX; Engaged to the Unidentified, Manga 4koma Palette)
- Second illustration: Izumo Itō (Machikado Mazoku, Manga Time Kirara Carat)
- Third illustration: Ragho no Erika (School Resort!, Manga Time Kirara MAX; Chikanoko, Pixiv web manga)