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”’Tonal whiplash”’, sometimes called ”’mood whiplash”’ |
”’Tonal whiplash”’, sometimes called ”’mood whiplash”’ ”’emotion whiplash”’, is a [[Plot device|narrative device]] where, either intentionally or unintentionally, the [[Author|author]] of a work creates a sudden and severe shift in the mood or genre between two scenes.<ref>[https://forum.wordreference.com/threads/tonal-whiplash.1839759/ “tonal whiplash”] WordReference forums</ref> It can be invoked as a form of [[Comedy|comedy]]. If done unintentionally, it can result in a lack of immersion.<ref>[https://mythicscribes.com/community/threads/how-does-one-avoid-tonal-whiplash.25325/ “How does one avoid Tonal Whiplash”] Mystic Scribes Writing Forums</ref> |
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== Examples == |
== Examples == |
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A common form of tonal whiplash is the appearance of an extremely disturbing [[Antagonist|antagonist]] in an otherwise light-hearted media.<ref>[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MoodWhiplash “Mood Whiplash”] TV Tropes</ref> |
A common form of tonal whiplash is the appearance of an extremely disturbing [[Antagonist|antagonist]] in an otherwise light-hearted media.<ref>[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MoodWhiplash “Mood Whiplash”] TV Tropes</ref> |
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When a darker moment is juxtapose to a more light-hearted scene around it, it is called a ”’Gut punch”’. |
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== References == |
== References == |
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Revision as of 16:01, 24 September 2025
Tonal whiplash, sometimes called mood whiplash or emotion whiplash, is a narrative device where, either intentionally or unintentionally, the author of a work creates a sudden and severe shift in the mood or genre between two scenes.[1] It can be invoked as a form of comedy. If done unintentionally, it can result in a lack of immersion.[2]
Examples
In episodic media, tonal whiplash can manifest as a stand-alone episode with a lighter or darker plot than the other episodes.[3]
A common form of tonal whiplash is the appearance of an extremely disturbing antagonist in an otherwise light-hearted media.[4]
When a darker moment is juxtapose to a more light-hearted scene around it, it is called a Gut punch.
