CHARACTER TYPE AND TROPE THESAURUS

PHONY POLITICIAN



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HELPFUL TIP:

Using a trope or archetype helps readers quickly understand a character, but stopping there creates a weak and predictable figure. Instead, add depth with a unique backstory, emotional wounds, and related fears and flaws. You can also break expectations with an unusual job, relationship, secret, or positive trait.
DESCRIPTION:
This character is the stereotypical politician. Charming, hypocritical, morally flexible, and often corrupt, they'll say and do anything to get votes.

FICTIONAL EXAMPLES:
Greg Stillson (The Dead Zone), William "Boss" Tweed (Gangs of New York), Frank Underwood (House of Cards), Mayor Richard Wilkins (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

COMMON STRENGTHS:
ADAPTABLE, AMBITIOUS, ANALYTICAL, CALM, CHARMING, CONFIDENT, DECISIVE, DIPLOMATIC, ENTHUSIASTIC, EXTROVERTED, FOCUSED, FRIENDLY, FUNNY, INTELLIGENT, OBSERVANT, PERSISTENT, PERSUASIVE, RESOURCEFUL, SOCIALLY AWARE

COMMON WEAKNESSES:
COCKY, COWARDLY, DISHONEST, DISLOYAL, EVASIVE, HYPOCRITICAL, LAZY, MANIPULATIVE, SELF-INDULGENT, SELFISH, SLEAZY, UNETHICAL, VAIN, VERBOSE, VINDICTIVE, WEAK-WILLED

ASSOCIATED ACTIONS, BEHAVIORS, AND TENDENCIES:
Being charismatic
Speaking eloquently
Knowing what they want and being singularly focused on those goals
Instinctively knowing what to say and how to say it
Thinking strategically and analytically
Deftly working a room
Adaptability; being able to think on their feet
Being politically savvy
Persuasiveness
Showing resiliency in crisis situations
Forging alliances that will further their goals
Manipulating others to get their way
Dishonesty
Obscuring their true intentions
Prioritizing their own interests over the public's
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FEARS THAT MIGHT LIMIT THE CHARACTER:
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SITUATIONS THAT WILL CHALLENGE THEM:
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INNER STRUGGLES TO GIVE THEM DEPTH:
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CLICHÉS TO BE AWARE OF:
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TWIST THIS TROPE WITH A CHARACTER WHO...:
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CREATE SOMETHING NEW:
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