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WRITING GLOSSARY

What is Cliché?

Cliché is a prose and sentence-craft term that writers use when discussing craft, structure, or reader experience.

Definition

Cliché is a prose and sentence-craft term that writers use when discussing craft, structure, or reader experience.

Example

In a workshop, a writer might say, "This scene needs stronger cliché."

Related terms

Common mistakes

  • Using cliché without connecting it to what the reader should feel or understand.
  • Treating cliché as a rule instead of a tool that serves the story.
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