Bathos

Bathos is a term used to describe humour being mixed in with something which is meant to be dramatic, usually caused unintentionally by bad writing. The expression used by [|TVTropes] to mean the same thing is "Narm". Badfic is often riddled with it,

Unintentional bathos can be caused by many things, for example:


 * Sudden changes in the tone of the narrative. The example given by the [|Turkey City Lexicon] is "There will be bloody riots and savage insurrections leading to a violent popular uprising unless the regime starts being lots nicer about stuff."
 * Use of inappropriate lyrics in a songfic, the classic example being "Every Breath You Take" being used as romantic (it's about stalking).
 * Overemphasis, which MAKES IT LOOK LIKE THE CHARACTERS ARE SHOUTING or ACTING REALLY BADLY!!!11!!!one!!!1
 * Poorly-thought-out similes/metaphors or other descriptions.