Back when I did my Top 10 Least Favourite Storytelling Tropes, I didn't have a counter-post prepared, because I found it much harder to come up with my favourite tropes. I think it's easier to pinpoint story devices that we don't like because when they are used, they take us out of the story. They prevent us from getting immersed, and we find ourselves thinking 'I can't believe they're using that plot point!' Good tropes are much harder to pin down, because when we enjoy a story, it's a lot harder to pick out the specific devices that made it good. However, with some thought, I have managed to pick out what I would consider my Top 10 Favourite Storytelling Tropes
10 - The Married Couple
It is a common theme in fiction that marriage is the reward at the end of the story – it's the resolution, the happy ending. So I really like it when a writer feels they can have a married couple who grow and develop through the story – to show that yes, marriage is wonderful, but it's not as simple as 'happily ever after'. When two people decide to share their entire lives together, they will ultimately face conflict. Watching them overcome it and become stronger for it shows just how much they really belong together.
9 - The Surrogate Parent
When someone has a child, they have a natural responsibility to care for them. They gave them life, and are biologically bound to them. There are some wonderful parental characters in fiction, but some of the best ones are not the biological parent. While aunts, uncles and grandparents often take the role of the parent when the real ones aren't around, there is something so heartwarming when a person with no biological relation to a child takes responsibility for their well-being. Without the biological tie, their affection for the adopted child is that much harder to develop, but that much more touching.
8 - The Magnificent Bastard
Sometimes villains are subtle. Sometimes they are complex. Sometimes they have well-rounded motivations that make them truly multidimensional characters. And sometimes they just revel in being evil. For all the complex motivations you see in fiction, sometimes the best villains are the simplest. The ones who just take pleasure in causing chaos, who revel in being evil, they are the guys you love to hate. Sometimes you just need to provide a clear threat to keep a story going, and these sorts of villains offer exactly this.
7 - Balanced Romance
As you could probably tell from my Least Favourite Tropes list, I often have a problem with love stories. This is because most of them feel shallow and offer nothing to the actual plot. Sometimes they offer character development but this is often one-sided. The best ones are those where both parties have something to offer the other. The two people should compliment each other; they have different mindsets or beliefs, but through understanding each other they are able to change and become better people.
6 - Badass in Distress
This is an interesting trope that can be difficult to pull off. There are plenty of damsels in distress – helpless characters who constantly get themselves into trouble, but there are also those occasional cases where even strong characters need rescuing. Done well, this trope can show that the strongest characters still have their flaws – they might get overconfident, let their temper get the better of them, or just make a misjudgement. This trope is often an opportunity to give the supporting cast a chance to shine, while simultaneously giving the lead some character development.
5 - The Well-Meaning Villain
A lot of villains know they are evil and love it, but sometimes the most terrifying villain is the one who genuinely believes they are doing the right thing. It's easy to hate someone who knows they are bad, but it's that much harder to hate someone with good intentions. This trope can often have you sympathising with the bad guys, which makes them all the more terrifying. It also makes them that much harder for the heroes to stop.
4 - Alternating Storylines
I guess the main way to sum up this trope is to say “why have one story when you can have two”. Done well, this trope offers two compelling narratives that keep the audience on their toes, always anticipating more. When one storyline leaves off, you're desperate to know how it carries on, but the story that follows it will do the exact same thing. I also love piecing the two stories together, seeing how they fit together and wondering when they will meet.
3 - Bad Guy Turned Good Guy
This is a trope that is really hard to pull off, but is brilliant when it is done well. When a character is selfish, destructive or power-hungry, but learns that their goals might not be as fulfilling as they expected, it makes for some brilliant character development. It's all well and good having characters who are good by nature, but when someone was previously a bad guy actively chooses the side of good it truly emphasises the theme of 'good over evil'.
2 - Fragmented Narrative
While I am always a fan of the traditional three-act structure, there is something even more compelling about a story told out-of-order. Seeing events on their own, and then figuring out where they fit into the bigger picture is a really great way to get someone involved in the story. Sometimes questions are more interesting than answers, and a fragmented narrative has the audience constantly asking questions, and constantly thinking about the overall picture.
1 - True Friendship
As great as love stories can be, I always find tales of friendship to be so much more emotional. Any moment that shows just how strong the bonds of friendship are belong on this list. Those moments when someone will throw themselves into danger to save a pal, or comfort their best friend during their time of need. The times when someone trusts their friend so much that they don't even need to question their judgement. Even a hug, a touching line of dialogue or a friendly smile just warms my heart. Friendships are that much stronger and more enduring than love stories, and I love it when a story focusses on a relationship that is guaranteed to stay strong.
A lot shorter than my last list, but as I said, good tropes are often harder to analyse than bad ones. I hope this was an interesting read despite its brevity, and has given you a little insight into what I look for in a good story. I'd say it's worth giving some thought into your favourite and least favourite tropes, especially if you ever plan on writing or reviewing. It gives you an idea of how stories work and how they are received. TV Tropes is good for this, but as I've said before, approach that website with caution.
