I feel like the title explains what this is. Everything on this list is what was used to decide the bingo cards. It's all in alphabetical order, and there's a definition so you know what you're looking for while reading. Some of them may repeat in different genres.

Table of Contents

Adventure
Coming of Age
Fantasy
Literary Fiction
Mystery
Psychological Thriller
Romance
Social Commentary
Thriller
Tragedy
Young Adult

Adventure:

Click to toggle section

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Airborne Adventures: Exploration and battles in the sky, often involving airships or flying creatures.
Allies and Companions: Characters often form diverse teams with unique skills and backgrounds.
Ancient Tombs and Temples: Exploring the mysteries of long-forgotten tombs and temples.

B

C

Call to Adventure: The moment when characters decide to embark on their journey.

D

Desert Expeditions: Adventures set in vast desert landscapes with their own challenges.

E

Epic Climbs: Characters ascending treacherous peaks or scaling perilous cliffs.
Exotic Locales: Characters travel to distant and exotic places on exciting adventures.
Exploration: Characters discover new lands, mysteries, or civilizations.

F

G

H

I

Island Adventures: Mysterious islands with hidden secrets and dangers.

J

K

L

Lost Civilizations: Characters discovering long-lost and advanced civilizations.

M

Maps: Maps and scrolls that lead to undiscovered treasures or destinations.
Mystical Artifacts: Artifacts with mystical powers as central plot points.

N

Navigating Dangerous Waters: High-seas adventures with pirates, sea monsters, and uncharted waters.

O

P

Perilous Journeys: Characters face dangers, challenges, and obstacles in their quests.
Pirate Adventures: Swashbuckling tales of pirates, buried treasure, and naval battles.

Q

R

S

Survival in the Wilderness: Characters stranded in the wilderness must learn to survive.
Survival: The struggle to survive in harsh environments or against formidable adversaries.

T

Time-Travel: Characters traveling through time to different eras or historical events.
Treasure Hunts: The search for hidden or lost treasures is a common adventure trope.

U

Underground Quests: Adventures taking place in underground labyrinths, caves, or hidden cities.

V

W

X

Y

Z

Coming of Age:

Click to toggle section

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

B

Bildungsroman: Stories that follow the protagonist's growth from childhood to adulthood.

C

Challenges and Obstacles: Characters face coming-of-age challenges, often involving family or societal expectations.
Cultural Clashes: Stories that deal with characters from different cultural backgrounds.
Cultural Immersion: Characters immersed in a new culture, often while traveling abroad.

D

E

F

First Jobs: Characters' experiences in their first jobs and the lessons learned.
Friendship and Relationships: The importance of relationships and friendships is a central theme.

G

Generational Conflict: Tensions between the younger generation and their elders.
Generational Wisdom: Learning from the experiences and wisdom of older family members.

H

Homecoming: Characters returning to their hometown or family after an absence.

I

J

K

L

Life Lessons: Characters learn valuable life lessons through experiences and challenges.
Loss of Innocence: Characters confront harsh realities and lose their childlike innocence.

M

Mentor Figures: Wise mentors or guides often help the protagonist on their journey.

N

Nostalgic Reunions: Reuniting with childhood friends or family members.

O

P

Peer Pressure: The struggle to conform to social norms or expectations.

Q

R

Reconnecting with Childhood: Returning to childhood homes or places to confront the past.
Rite of Passage: Ceremonies or rituals that symbolize the transition into adulthood.
Road Trips: Characters embarking on transformative journeys across landscapes.

S

Self-Discovery: Stories focus on personal growth, identity, and self-awareness.
Sibling Rivalry: Exploring the dynamics of rivalries and relationships between siblings.
Summer Adventures: Stories set during memorable summer vacations or holidays.

T

Teen Protagonists: Main characters are usually adolescents transitioning into adulthood.
Transformation: The protagonist undergoes a significant transformation or maturation over the course of the story.

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

Fantasy:

Click to toggle section

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Ancient Prophecies: A prophecy that foretells the events of the story and the destiny of the characters.
Animal Companions: Characters forming deep bonds with magical creatures or animal companions.

B

C

Chosen One: A central character with a special destiny, often on a quest to save the world.

D

E

Elemental Magic: Magic systems based on the manipulation of natural elements (earth, water, fire, air).
Enchanted Forests: Mystical forests with magical beings and hidden secrets.
Epic Battles: Grand, magical battles between forces of good and evil.

F

Familiar Creatures: Animal companions that share a deep bond with their human counterparts.
Forbidden Love: Romantic relationships between characters from different magical species or backgrounds.

G

H

Hidden Worlds: Secret realms or cities concealed from the ordinary world.

I

J

K

L

Lost Heir: The discovery of a hidden heir with a rightful claim to a kingdom or power.

M

Magic Schools: Institutions where characters learn to harness their magical abilities.
Magical Artifacts: Quests often involve searching for powerful magical items.
Magical Creatures' Society: Exploration of societies and cultures of magical creatures like elves, dwarves, or fairies.
Magical Powers: Characters with unique magical abilities or powers.
Magical Worlds: Fantasy often features entirely new or parallel worlds with magic, mythical creatures, and unique rules.
Medieval Courts: Intrigue and politics in royal courts with knights and nobility.
Medieval Settings: Many fantasy stories take place in settings reminiscent of medieval times.

N

O

P

Parallel Realities: Characters traveling between multiple parallel dimensions or worlds.
Prophecies and Curses: Characters struggling to fulfill or break ancient prophecies or curses.

Q

R

Quests: Characters embarking on a journey to find a magical artifact, defeat a powerful enemy, or achieve a specific goal.

S

Sorcerer's Apprentice: Apprentices learning magic from experienced wizards or sorcerers.
Swords and Sorcery: Epic battles with swords and powerful magic.

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

Literary Fiction:

Click to toggle section

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

B

C

Character Exploration: Deep exploration of characters' thoughts, emotions, and personal growth.
Character Monologues: Extended internal monologues that reveal the depths of characters' thoughts.
Character Reflections: Characters pondering their past, regrets, and personal philosophies.
Character-Driven: Plot and conflict arise from the inner lives of characters.
Complex Themes: Addressing complex themes and social issues is a hallmark.
Cultural Exploration: Delving into the complexities of different cultures and perspectives.

D

E

Epiphanies and Catharsis: Moments of profound realization and emotional release.
Existential Confusion: Characters grappling with questions of existence, meaning, and mortality.

F

Family Sagas: Multi-generational stories that explore the dynamics within a family.
Fragmented Narratives: Non-linear storytelling with fragmented or multiple perspectives.

G

H

I

Introspective Journeys: Characters embarking on internal journeys of self-discovery.

J

K

L

Literary Allusions: References to classic literature, art, or historical events.

M

Metafiction: The story's self-awareness as a work of fiction, often blurring the lines between reality and storytelling.
Metaphysical and Existential Themes: Contemplation of life's purpose and the human condition.
Multiple Perspectives: Stories told from the viewpoints of multiple characters.

N

Narrative Experimentation: Literary fiction may employ non-linear storytelling or unconventional narrative techniques.

O

P

Prose Emphasis: Literary fiction often focuses on beautiful and evocative language.

Q

R

Realistic Settings: Settings are often grounded in reality, exploring everyday life.

S

Social Commentary: Addressing societal issues and commentary on contemporary life.
Stream of Consciousness: Exploration of characters' inner thoughts and mental processes.
Symbolic Journeys: Characters' physical journeys symbolizing their internal growth.
Symbolism and Metaphor: Symbolic elements and metaphors are frequently used to convey deeper meaning.

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

Mystery:

Click to toggle section

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Amateur Sleuth: A non-professional detective or investigator takes on the case.
Amnesia: Characters dealing with memory loss and piecing together their past.

B

Betrayals: Characters' loyalties being tested as they discover hidden agendas.

C

Cliffhangers: Chapters or scenes that end with a tantalizing question or unresolved situation to keep the reader engaged.
Clueless Authorities: Law enforcement officials are portrayed as inept or clueless.
Clues and Investigations: The protagonist collects and analyzes clues to solve a central mystery.
Clues and Red Herrings: Cryptic clues and false leads add suspense and intrigue.
Cold Cases: Unsolved mysteries from the past that are revisited.
Cold War Espionage: Mysteries set during the Cold War with spies, espionage, and political
Conspiracy Theories: Characters unraveling complex and far-reaching conspiracies.
Conveniently Placed Clue: A cliché where important clues seem to be conveniently located for the detective.
Crime Scenes: Investigation often involves examining crime scenes and evidence.
Cryptic Messages: Clues left in the form of puzzles, codes, or cryptic messages.

D

Decoy: A fake solution or suspect is introduced to mislead the protagonist and audience.
Detective Figure: A central character, amateur or professional, who is dedicated to solving the mystery.

E

F

False Accusations: Characters being wrongly accused of a crime and working to clear their name.
Fated Love: Characters destined to be together despite obstacles and challenges.
Flashbacks: Delving into the past to uncover secrets and motives.
Foreboding Atmospheres: Settings with eerie and unsettling atmospheres that heighten tension.
Forensic Science: Detailed examination of evidence and forensic techniques.

G

H

Hidden Room: A secret chamber or concealed area plays a crucial role in solving the mystery.

I

It Was All a Dream: A twist that reveals that nothing (or a large portion) of the recent events in the story were real.

J

K

L

Locked Room Mystery: A crime or puzzle that occurs in a sealed or impossible-to-enter location.

M

Mysterious Symbols: Cryptic symbols or codes that hold the key to solving the mystery.

N

Noir Atmosphere: Dark, moody settings and a sense of moral ambiguity.

O

Obvious Suspect: A cliché where the most obvious suspect is never the real culprit.

P

Q

R

Red Herring: False leads or clues meant to divert attention from the real solution.
Revelation: The moment when the mystery is solved, often involving a dramatic reveal.

S

Secret Societies: Mysterious organizations or groups that play a central role in the mystery.
Serial Killers: Investigations into a series of gruesome murders and the hunt for a serial killer.

T

Twist Ending: A surprising and unexpected resolution to the mystery.

U

Unseen Antagonist: The antagonist's identity is hidden until the very end, creating suspense.
Unsolvable Mystery: A case that initially appears impossible to solve challenges the detective's skills.

V

Villain's Monologue: The antagonist reveals their entire plan to the detective or protagonist.

W

Whodunit Gathering: All suspects are gathered together for the final revelation of the culprit.

X

Y

Z

Psych. Thriller:

Click to toggle section

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

B

C

Creepy Child: A child character with a disturbing or supernatural presence.

D

Dissolving Reality: The line between reality and delusion blurs as the protagonist's mental state deteriorates.

E

Eerie Atmosphere: A pervasive sense of dread and unease in the story's setting.
Evil Mentor: A character who initially appears helpful turns out to be the true antagonist.

F

Flashbacks: Past events are revealed gradually through character recollections.

G

Gaslighting: Manipulative tactics used to make a character doubt their own sanity.

H

I

Isolation: Characters are cut off from the outside world, intensifying psychological pressure.
"It's All in Their Head": A cliché where the protagonist's experiences are dismissed as delusions.

J

K

L

M

Mind Control: The manipulation or control of characters' thoughts and actions.
Mind Games: Characters manipulate and deceive each other, often in a psychological battle of wits.

N

O

P

Paranoia: Characters become increasingly paranoid, unsure of whom to trust.
Psych. Horror: Elements of horror are used to create psychological tension and fear.
Psychiatric Hospital: Settings involving mental institutions or therapy sessions are common.
Psychological Thrills: Exploration of the characters' psyches and motivations.

Q

R

S

"Someone Close Is the Killer": The cliché where the killer turns out to be a friend or family member.
Split Personality: A character with multiple personalities or identities.
Stalking: A character is pursued or harassed by a relentless, often obsessive, antagonist.

T

U

Unexplained Phenomena: Supernatural or unexplained events that challenge characters' perceptions.
Unexplained Powers: A character suddenly develops unexplained supernatural abilities.
Unreliable Narrator: The protagonist's perspective is called into question, leaving the audience unsure of what's real.

V

W

X

Y

Z

Romance:

Click to toggle section

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Amnesia: One character loses their memory and must rediscover their love for the other.

B

C

Clichéd Romantic Settings: Iconic romantic settings like a moonlit beach, a cozy cabin in the woods, or a bustling city square.
Cute First Meeting: The protagonists meet in a charming or quirky way that sets the tone for their romantic journey.

D

E

F

Forbidden Love: The romance faces external obstacles, such as societal norms, family opposition, or class differences.
Friends to Lovers: A close friendship gradually develops into a romantic relationship.

G

Grand Romantic Gesture: A character makes a dramatic, heartfelt gesture to express their love.

H

Happy Ending: Most romance stories conclude with the couple finding true love and living happily ever after.

I

J

K

L

Love at First Sight: The instant connection between two characters who fall in love upon first meeting.
Love Confession: A heartfelt and often dramatic declaration of love.
Love Letters: Exchange of heartfelt letters or messages that play a significant role in the romance.
Love Potion: A cliché involving a magical or accidental love-inducing substance.
Love Triangle: A classic conflict where one character must choose between two love interests.

M

Misunderstandings: The couple faces obstacles due to misunderstandings or lack of communication.

N

Noble Sacrifice: A character makes a melodramatic sacrifice for the sake of love.

O

P

Q

R

Rekindled Romance: Characters who were once in love but separated are brought back together by fate.
Rivalry: The romantic leads start as rivals or enemies before falling in love.
Running to the Airport: A classic cliché where one character races to stop their love interest from leaving (the location does not have to be an Airport).

S

Sacrifice for Love: One character makes a significant sacrifice for the sake of their love.

T

U

V

W

Wedding or Proposal: The climax or resolution often involves a marriage proposal or wedding ceremony.

X

Y

Z

Social Commentary:

Click to toggle section

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Allegory: The story serves as a metaphor for real-world issues, often addressing social, political, or cultural themes.

B

C

Call to Action: These stories may inspire reflection and action, encouraging the audience to consider their own roles in society.
Character Archetypes: Characters may represent different aspects of society, such as the oppressed, the powerful, or the marginalized.
Class Divide: Exploration of disparities between social classes and their consequences.
Conflict of Values: The story often explores conflicting ideologies or values within society.
Convenient Resolution: Complex societal issues are resolved too neatly and unrealistically.

D

Dystopian Setting: A future society characterized by oppressive government or societal structures.

E

Environmental Themes: Exploration of environmental issues and their impact on society.

F

G

H

Heavy-Handed Metaphor: A cliché where the allegorical elements are too overt and obvious.

I

J

K

L

M

Media Satire: Commentary on the influence and manipulation of media on society.
Moral Dilemmas: Characters confront ethical choices that reflect broader societal issues.

N

O

P

Political Intrigue: Intricate plots and power struggles within political systems.
Preachy Monologue: A character delivers a long-winded speech, summarizing the story's message.

Q

R

Resistance Movements: Stories centered on groups or individuals fighting against oppressive regimes.
Revolution: A movement or uprising against an oppressive system.

S

Satire: The genre can use humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize and comment on societal norms and behaviors.
Satirical Characters: Characters that embody exaggerated versions of certain societal traits or stereotypes.
Social Experiments: Stories where characters are placed in controlled environments to highlight societal issues.
Sudden Change of Heart: A character who was a staunch advocate for a particular ideology suddenly sees the error of their ways.

T

U

Utopian vs. Dystopian Dichotomy: Society is either perfect or utterly bleak with little middle ground.

V

W

X

Y

Z

Thriller:

Click to toggle section

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

B

C

Cellphone Dead Zone: Characters always lose signal at the worst possible moment.
Countdown: A deadline or impending disaster that adds urgency to the plot.

D

Damsel in Distress: A cliché involving a female character who constantly needs saving.
Double Cross: A character betrays another, often with unexpected consequences.

E

Escape Sequence: A thrilling escape from a dangerous situation or captivity.
Evil Twin: The reveal of a character's evil twin as the antagonist.

F

False Identity: A character hides their true identity, leading to tension and suspense.
Final Confrontation: A climactic showdown between the protagonist and the antagonist.

G

H

I

Innocent Accused: A character is wrongly accused of a crime, and they must clear their name.
Interrogation Scene: Intense questioning or confrontation between characters.

J

K

L

M

MacGuffin: A mysterious object or goal that drives the plot and creates tension.
Mysterious Stranger: An enigmatic character enters the story and raises suspicion.

N

O

P

Plot Twists: Unexpected revelations or betrayals that keep the audience guessing.
Pursuit Through Crowded Place: A high-stakes chase scene through a crowded public space.

Q

R

Red Herring: False clues or characters designed to mislead the audience or the protagonist.

S

Sudden Storm: The storm that conveniently occurs during a dramatic scene.
Suspenseful Chase: A heart-pounding scene where characters are pursued or pursue someone, often with high stakes.

T

Torture Scene: Intense scenes where a character is subjected to physical or psychological torture.

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

Tragedy:

Click to toggle section

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

B

C

Catharsis: An emotional release for the audience as they witness the protagonist's suffering.
Cursed Object/Place: A recurring object or location brings misfortune to the characters, or is rumored to be cursed.

D

Death by Coincidence: A series of unlikely coincidences leads to tragedy.
Deathbed Confession: A character reveals a crucial truth or secret on their deathbed.
Dramatic Death: A memorable, often symbolic, death of a major character.

E

Emotional Reckoning: A moment of deep emotional realization or acceptance of the tragic circumstances.

F

Fatal Flaw: The protagonist's character flaw or poor decision-making leads to their downfall.
Fate as a Plot Device: Characters accept their tragic fate without trying to change it.
Fateful Decision: A critical choice that seals the tragic fate of a character or the entire story.

G

H

Haunted by the Past: Characters grapple with unresolved issues or guilt from their past.
Hubris: Excessive pride or arrogance that contributes to the tragedy.

I

Irreparable Loss: The death or loss of a beloved character or element that can never be replaced.

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Poisoned Goblet: A classic cliché involving poison as a method of tragedy.
Prophetic Warning: A warning or prophecy sets the tragic events in motion.

Q

R

Reckoning: Characters face the consequences of their actions in a devastating way.

S

Star-Crossed Lovers: A cliché where external forces or circumstances keep lovers apart.

T

Tragic Hero: A central character with noble qualities whose downfall is brought about by their own flaws.
Tragic Irony: The audience knows something the characters do not, intensifying the tragedy.

U

Unavoidable Fate: The sense that the tragic outcome was destined to happen.

V

W

X

Y

Z

Young Adult (YA):

Click to toggle section

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

B

Boarding Schools: Stories set in boarding schools or academies with unique rules and cultures.

C

Coming of Age: Stories often revolve around personal growth, self-discovery, and identity.

D

E

Empowerment: Characters often find and embrace their unique strengths.

F

First Love: Young romance and the intensity of first love.
Friendship: Strong friendships and the dynamics between friends play a significant role.

G

H

High-Stakes Competitions: Characters competing in life-or-death contests or games.

I

Identity as a Metaphor: Exploration of personal identity as a metaphor for larger issues.
Identity Crises: Protagonists grappling with questions of identity, purpose, and belonging.

J

K

L

M

Mentor-Student Relationships: Protagonists forming deep connections with wise mentors.

N

O

P

Q

R

Rebel Alliances: Teens banding together to rebel against oppressive regimes or forces.
Rebellion: YA often explores themes of rebellion against authority or societal norms.
Romantic Subplots: Romantic relationships and conflicts are common in YA literature.

S

School or Campus Settings: Many YA stories are set in high schools, colleges, or similar institutions.
Supernatural Elements: YA often features vampires, werewolves, or other supernatural creatures.
Supernatural High School: Schools with students possessing supernatural abilities.

T

Teen Protagonists: Main characters are typically teenagers dealing with adolescent challenges.
Teen Rebellion Against Adults: Teens challenging the decisions and authority of adults.

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

Laboratory

Super Admins

Admins