Definition of Exposition
Exposition is a literary device used to introduce background information about events, settings, characters, or other elements of a work to the audience or readers. The word comes from the Latin language, and its literal meaning is 'a showing forth.' Exposition is crucial to any story, for without it nothing makes sense.
Exposition in a plot introduces of the story's setting, mood, the main character, supporting characters, and time. Character development happens during this part of the story. How to Write a Story Using A Witch's Plot Diagram. Have you ever wanted to write a story, but can't get an effective outline? This strategy is a good way to get a basic outline from the beginning to end of your story.
There are many ways to present an exposition, including monologues, dialogues, in-universe media (newspapers, letters, reports, journals, etc.), a protagonist's thoughts, or a narrator's explanation of past events. It is one of the four rhetorical modes of communication – the other three being narration, description, and argumentation.
Examples of Exposition in Literature
Exposition in Movies
Example #1: Star Wars (By George Lucas)
There are countless examples of exposition in many great movies and one of them, which comes across particularly well, is from Star Wars. The exposition in this movie is the opening title sequence, which gives information about the past events to the audience. The crawling text on the screen at the beginning of each movie in the series gives the audience every piece of information they need to understand the upcoming events in the film. The opening lines usually begin like this:
'A long time ago in a galaxy far away, far away…'
Exposition in Literature
Example #2: The Three Little Bears (By Robert Southey)
An exposition is typically positioned at the beginning of a novel, movie, or other literary work, because the author wants the audience to be fully aware of the characters in the story. The famous children's story entitled The Three Little Bears applies this technique of exposition.
'Once upon a time, there were three bears. There was a Daddy Bear, who was very big, a Mama Bear, who was middle-sized, and a Baby Bear, who was very small. They all lived together in a little cottage in the middle of the woods. Their favorite breakfast was porridge. One morning, after they made their porridge, Daddy Bear said, ‘Let's go for walk in the woods until it cools.' Mama Bear and Baby Bear liked the idea, so off they went. While they were away, a little girl named Goldilocks came walking through the forest and smelled the porridge…'
With the help of a single passage, the author of the story has given us an overview of the bear family, their residence, and information that sets the story in motion.
Example #3: Othello (By William Shakespeare)
All of Shakespeare's writings contain excellent exposition examples. Take Othello, Romeoand Juliet, Henry V, and Richard III, and you will see how exceptionally well he used the art of expository writing. Here, two examples from Othello have been taken to elaborate the point.
The opening scene in Act I of Othello shows a fierce argument between Roderigo and Iago, which helps build the interest of the audience. The audience realizes that Iago is persistently trying to convince Roderigo to be his accomplice in destroying Othello. The exposition in this scene plays the following roles:
- It explicates Iago's treacherous, spiteful, and scheming nature.
- The main conflict of the play is revealed here. It revolves around Iago's concealed bitterness towards his boss Othello who, in Iago's opinion, is overlooking him for promotion.
- It ascertains two basic themes of the play: racism, and that appearance is not always the same as reality.
At the end of Act 1, the play gives the audience a few facts about Othello, including:
- He is a very respectable man.
- He had run away with Desdemona, Brabantio's daughter.
- He is a great general who is sought by Venice to defend it in the war against the Turks.
As is evident from the examples given above, exposition always gives us an insight into the characters' personalities, and adds flavor to the tragedy and drama we see towards the end of the play.
Function of Exposition
The importance of exposition in literature, as well as in our practical lives, cannot be ignored. Examining the types of writing we come across in our daily lives shows us that almost all of them are incomplete without exposition.
The fiction books, articles, and magazines that people read in their everyday lives essentially rely on exposition to connect the readers to the main story by giving them the background information. In most cases, a narrative or script loses its essence if not accompanied by an exposition. Not only is it important for bringing clarity to a script, but it is also vital to enhance its literary value. The true essence of a book usually lies in how the reader is introduced to the characters in it and, if done correctly, the reader automatically starts relating to them.
Moreover, exposition is widely used for academic purposes in schools, colleges, and universities. Generally, students are asked to submit research reports and pass exams to establish their progress. The exposition here is keeping the academia updated on what you have learned so far. Also, employees are asked very often to put together business reports and memorandums to update their employers about their progress.
In our earlier post on the questions to consider while Plotting, we briefly spoke to you about what plotting entails when you are writing a novel. In this five-part series on the structures of plots we bring to you what goes into plotting and why it is an extremely important literary element.
The plots of traditional stories are believed to follow a certain pattern. German playwright and novelist, Gustav Freytag is credited with analyzing the structures of stories. He proposed that the plot of story goes through the following dramatic arcs:
- Exposition
- Rising Action
- Climax
- Falling Action
- Denouement
The same can represented as a pyramid
In this first post we talk to you about the first dramatic arc – Exposition and six ways to write an effective exposition. In subsequent posts, we will demystify the other arcs.
Structure of Plots – Part 1. What is Exposition?
Exposition is introducing your reader to your story. It's saying, 'Hello Reader, meet my character' or 'Hello Reader, here's that haunted house where everything is going to happen.'
Exposition comprises of the choices you make, as a writer, to set the scene and initiate readers to your story. It is about conveying intitial and necessary information.
6 WAYS TO WRITE AN EFFECTIVE EXPOSITION
A. EXPOSITION THROUGH CONFLICT
Someone must have been telling lies about Josef K., he knew he had done nothing wrong but, one morning, he was arrested.
Introducing your reader to the conflict, taking him/her straight to the story is an effective way. You don't have to reveal anything more than what the conflict is. It serves as hook. In the above instance, the story begins with the main character's arrest. Two policemen turn up at his home and arrest him. We are not told why he is being arrested and the character himself has no idea! Spoiler alert: The reason for his arrest is never revealed yet, as the story progresses, so much intrigue has been created that readers keep reading.
B. EXPOSITION THROUGH DIALOGUE
(Spoken by Dumbledore to Harry)
'Voldemort… took your blood believing it would strengthen him. He took into his body a tiny part of the enchantment your mother laid upon you when she died for you. His body keeps her sacrifice alive, and while that enchantment survives, so do you and so does Voldemort's one last hope for himself.'
Exposition Examples
Notice how important information is introduced through dialogue. This is an extremely effective way because characters constantly interact with each other. So, if you encounter a situation where you need to provide information but are unable to do so in narration simply because it feels out of place, it might be an option to create an opportunity for dialogue and to then reveal the information through dialogue.
C. EXPOSITION THROUGH THOUGHTS / SOMETHING A CHARACTER HAS TO SAY ABOUT HIS/HER LIFE
There was no possibility of taking a walk THAT DAY. We had been wandering, indeed, in the leafless shrubbery an hour in the morning; but since dinner (Mrs. Reed, where was no company, dined early) the cold winter wind had brought with it clouds so sombre, and a rain so penetrating, that further out-door excerise was now out of the question.
I was glad of it: I never liked long walks, especially on chilly windy afternoons: dreadful to me was the coming home in the raw twilight, with nipped fingers and toes, and a heart saddenned by the chidings of Bessie, the nurse, and humbled by the consciousness of my physical inferiority to Eliza, John and Georgina Reed
This way is effective when you want your readers to understand the state of mind of your character. Jane Eyre was treated very badly by people she called family and she was in a fragile state of mind for the longest time. So if a character's state of mind or being is central plot point you could consider this sort of exposition. This story is often considered the original coming-of-age story.
D.EXPOSITION THROUGH CHARACTER INTRODUCTION
Plot Exposition Climax Resolution
'You don't know about me, without you have read a book by the name of ‘The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,' but that ain't no matter. That book was made by a Mr. Mark Twain, and he told the truth, mainly.
Now don't we like this character? J Of course we do. With an attitude like that? So, go ahead and introduce your readers to your character's spunk! That's a great way.
E. EXPOSITION THROUGH KEY BACKGROUND INFORMATION (THROUGH NARRATION)
Many years ago there lived an emperor who loved beautiful new clothes so much that he spent all his money on being finely dressed. His only interest was in going to the theater or in riding about in his carriage where he could show off his new clothes. He had a different costume for every hour of the day. Indeed, where it was said of other kings that they were at court, it could only be said of him that he was in his dressing room!
I've chosen a children's story told in a traditional manner to make my point, the point being that good old narration with the key facts is also a great way to bring about an effective exposition. Good narration never goes out of fashion.
F. EXPOSITION THROUGH LETTERS, NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS, MEDICAL PRESCIRPTIONS, BILLS,
NEWSPAPER CLIPPING FromThe Blind Assassinby Margret Atwood
Exposition in Movies
Example #1: Star Wars (By George Lucas)
There are countless examples of exposition in many great movies and one of them, which comes across particularly well, is from Star Wars. The exposition in this movie is the opening title sequence, which gives information about the past events to the audience. The crawling text on the screen at the beginning of each movie in the series gives the audience every piece of information they need to understand the upcoming events in the film. The opening lines usually begin like this:
'A long time ago in a galaxy far away, far away…'
Exposition in Literature
Example #2: The Three Little Bears (By Robert Southey)
An exposition is typically positioned at the beginning of a novel, movie, or other literary work, because the author wants the audience to be fully aware of the characters in the story. The famous children's story entitled The Three Little Bears applies this technique of exposition.
'Once upon a time, there were three bears. There was a Daddy Bear, who was very big, a Mama Bear, who was middle-sized, and a Baby Bear, who was very small. They all lived together in a little cottage in the middle of the woods. Their favorite breakfast was porridge. One morning, after they made their porridge, Daddy Bear said, ‘Let's go for walk in the woods until it cools.' Mama Bear and Baby Bear liked the idea, so off they went. While they were away, a little girl named Goldilocks came walking through the forest and smelled the porridge…'
With the help of a single passage, the author of the story has given us an overview of the bear family, their residence, and information that sets the story in motion.
Example #3: Othello (By William Shakespeare)
All of Shakespeare's writings contain excellent exposition examples. Take Othello, Romeoand Juliet, Henry V, and Richard III, and you will see how exceptionally well he used the art of expository writing. Here, two examples from Othello have been taken to elaborate the point.
The opening scene in Act I of Othello shows a fierce argument between Roderigo and Iago, which helps build the interest of the audience. The audience realizes that Iago is persistently trying to convince Roderigo to be his accomplice in destroying Othello. The exposition in this scene plays the following roles:
- It explicates Iago's treacherous, spiteful, and scheming nature.
- The main conflict of the play is revealed here. It revolves around Iago's concealed bitterness towards his boss Othello who, in Iago's opinion, is overlooking him for promotion.
- It ascertains two basic themes of the play: racism, and that appearance is not always the same as reality.
At the end of Act 1, the play gives the audience a few facts about Othello, including:
- He is a very respectable man.
- He had run away with Desdemona, Brabantio's daughter.
- He is a great general who is sought by Venice to defend it in the war against the Turks.
As is evident from the examples given above, exposition always gives us an insight into the characters' personalities, and adds flavor to the tragedy and drama we see towards the end of the play.
Function of Exposition
The importance of exposition in literature, as well as in our practical lives, cannot be ignored. Examining the types of writing we come across in our daily lives shows us that almost all of them are incomplete without exposition.
The fiction books, articles, and magazines that people read in their everyday lives essentially rely on exposition to connect the readers to the main story by giving them the background information. In most cases, a narrative or script loses its essence if not accompanied by an exposition. Not only is it important for bringing clarity to a script, but it is also vital to enhance its literary value. The true essence of a book usually lies in how the reader is introduced to the characters in it and, if done correctly, the reader automatically starts relating to them.
Moreover, exposition is widely used for academic purposes in schools, colleges, and universities. Generally, students are asked to submit research reports and pass exams to establish their progress. The exposition here is keeping the academia updated on what you have learned so far. Also, employees are asked very often to put together business reports and memorandums to update their employers about their progress.
In our earlier post on the questions to consider while Plotting, we briefly spoke to you about what plotting entails when you are writing a novel. In this five-part series on the structures of plots we bring to you what goes into plotting and why it is an extremely important literary element.
The plots of traditional stories are believed to follow a certain pattern. German playwright and novelist, Gustav Freytag is credited with analyzing the structures of stories. He proposed that the plot of story goes through the following dramatic arcs:
- Exposition
- Rising Action
- Climax
- Falling Action
- Denouement
The same can represented as a pyramid
In this first post we talk to you about the first dramatic arc – Exposition and six ways to write an effective exposition. In subsequent posts, we will demystify the other arcs.
Structure of Plots – Part 1. What is Exposition?
Exposition is introducing your reader to your story. It's saying, 'Hello Reader, meet my character' or 'Hello Reader, here's that haunted house where everything is going to happen.'
Exposition comprises of the choices you make, as a writer, to set the scene and initiate readers to your story. It is about conveying intitial and necessary information.
6 WAYS TO WRITE AN EFFECTIVE EXPOSITION
A. EXPOSITION THROUGH CONFLICT
Someone must have been telling lies about Josef K., he knew he had done nothing wrong but, one morning, he was arrested.
Introducing your reader to the conflict, taking him/her straight to the story is an effective way. You don't have to reveal anything more than what the conflict is. It serves as hook. In the above instance, the story begins with the main character's arrest. Two policemen turn up at his home and arrest him. We are not told why he is being arrested and the character himself has no idea! Spoiler alert: The reason for his arrest is never revealed yet, as the story progresses, so much intrigue has been created that readers keep reading.
B. EXPOSITION THROUGH DIALOGUE
(Spoken by Dumbledore to Harry)
'Voldemort… took your blood believing it would strengthen him. He took into his body a tiny part of the enchantment your mother laid upon you when she died for you. His body keeps her sacrifice alive, and while that enchantment survives, so do you and so does Voldemort's one last hope for himself.'
Exposition Examples
Notice how important information is introduced through dialogue. This is an extremely effective way because characters constantly interact with each other. So, if you encounter a situation where you need to provide information but are unable to do so in narration simply because it feels out of place, it might be an option to create an opportunity for dialogue and to then reveal the information through dialogue.
C. EXPOSITION THROUGH THOUGHTS / SOMETHING A CHARACTER HAS TO SAY ABOUT HIS/HER LIFE
There was no possibility of taking a walk THAT DAY. We had been wandering, indeed, in the leafless shrubbery an hour in the morning; but since dinner (Mrs. Reed, where was no company, dined early) the cold winter wind had brought with it clouds so sombre, and a rain so penetrating, that further out-door excerise was now out of the question.
I was glad of it: I never liked long walks, especially on chilly windy afternoons: dreadful to me was the coming home in the raw twilight, with nipped fingers and toes, and a heart saddenned by the chidings of Bessie, the nurse, and humbled by the consciousness of my physical inferiority to Eliza, John and Georgina Reed
This way is effective when you want your readers to understand the state of mind of your character. Jane Eyre was treated very badly by people she called family and she was in a fragile state of mind for the longest time. So if a character's state of mind or being is central plot point you could consider this sort of exposition. This story is often considered the original coming-of-age story.
D.EXPOSITION THROUGH CHARACTER INTRODUCTION
Plot Exposition Climax Resolution
'You don't know about me, without you have read a book by the name of ‘The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,' but that ain't no matter. That book was made by a Mr. Mark Twain, and he told the truth, mainly.
Now don't we like this character? J Of course we do. With an attitude like that? So, go ahead and introduce your readers to your character's spunk! That's a great way.
E. EXPOSITION THROUGH KEY BACKGROUND INFORMATION (THROUGH NARRATION)
Many years ago there lived an emperor who loved beautiful new clothes so much that he spent all his money on being finely dressed. His only interest was in going to the theater or in riding about in his carriage where he could show off his new clothes. He had a different costume for every hour of the day. Indeed, where it was said of other kings that they were at court, it could only be said of him that he was in his dressing room!
I've chosen a children's story told in a traditional manner to make my point, the point being that good old narration with the key facts is also a great way to bring about an effective exposition. Good narration never goes out of fashion.
F. EXPOSITION THROUGH LETTERS, NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS, MEDICAL PRESCIRPTIONS, BILLS,
NEWSPAPER CLIPPING FromThe Blind Assassinby Margret Atwood
The Toronto Star, May 26, 1945
QUESTIONS RAISED IN CITY DEATH
SPECIAL TO THE STAR
Plot Exposition
A coroner's inquest has returned a verdict of accidental death in last week's St. Clair Ave. fatality. Miss Laura Chase, 25, was travellingwest on the afternoon of May 18 when her car swerved through the barriers protecting a repair site on the bridge and crashed into the ravine below, catching fire. Miss Chase was killed instantly. Her sister, Mrs. Richard E. Griffen, wife of the prominent manufacturer, gave evidence that Miss Chase sufferred from severed headaches affecting her vision. In reply to questioning, she denied any possibility of intoxication as Miss Chase did not drink…
This epistolary tool helps to provide a lot of information. Notice how all necessary information about a character's death, reactions to that death from close relatives as well as details of close relatives and the death itself is presented. Diary excerpts, letters etc too are known to be used.
REMEMBER!
Expositions usually include:
- Who your characters are: Can include names, Profession, a particular like or dislike/ character traits – things that will help your readers get familiar with your character. Remember that your readers are following the trajectory of your characters. They will be rooting for your main character (usually) and good expositions help create good first impressions
- Where they are : A sense of the place where something is happenning or where something is going to happen
- Time: You remember the famous, 'Once Upon a time' opening line? Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children too begins in a similar way. Consider this:
As you can see from the opening lines, readers are introduced to a character who talks about his birth, his place of birth and time of birth. Almost immediately we know that this is very important information ('there is no getting away from the date…' and 'time matters, too') and get a sense of the setting – the day of Indian Independence is very clear from the above lines.
Novels have longer expositions than short stories owing to sheer length and the fact novesl require greater time investments from readers than short stories. Expositions of novels might run into a few pages.
(Note: In the above example, I used only the opening lines to make my point. This is not the entire exposition from the novel.)
WORD OF CAUTION WHILE USING EXPOSITION
Writers sometimes instinctively tend to give too much information to the readers. The rule of the thumb is, 'act first, explain later.' Get the action going, you don't have to explain everything! Invariably there will be plenty of opportunity to explain why something was done. Don't turn exposition into an information dump!
Are there other great ways to write an effective exposition? Let us know by way of a comment!
