What is the Exposition in a story?
By reading as early as in the exposition, you will know the genre of the story. The part of the plot that provides the reader with background information introducing the setting, characters, and main conflicts.
What would happen if there was no exposition?
These include through narration, such as in The Hobbit, through dialogue, internal monologue (aka the character’s thoughts), and through other elements such as strategically placed newspaper clippings or open books. Without exposition non of the details of a story would exist. Therefore, the major events and actions wouldn’t make sense.
What is an example of an exposition scene?
The scenes are relevant past events that are needed to pick up the next story line. A very clear and strong example of an exposition is from the movie “Pride and Prejudice,” which stars Kiera Knightly and is adapted from Jane Austen’s book written in 1813.
What is an example of direct exposition in the novel?
For example, in the opening chapter of I Capture the Castle by Dodi Smith, the novel's narrator uses direct exposition when she describes her sister as "nearly twenty-one and very bitter with life."
What is the exposition stage?
Exposition is a literary term that refers to the part of a story that sets the stage for the drama to follow: it introduces the theme, setting, characters, and circumstances at the story's beginnings.
What takes place in the exposition?
The exposition of a story is the first paragraph or paragraphs in which the characters, setting (time and place), and basic information is introduced. A lot of movies show the exposition by panning over the city or countryside and showing the main character doing something such as walking, working, or waking up.
What happens during the exposition or beginning section of the story?
The exposition is the beginning of the story and prepares the way for upcoming events. In the exposition, the author introduces the major characters, establishes the setting and reveals major conflicts in the story.
Is the exposition the introduction?
The exposition is the introduction to a story, including the primary characters' names, setting, mood, and time. The conflict is the primary problem that drives the plot of the story, often a main goal for the protagonist to achieve or overcome.
What happens in the rising action?
Rising action: The rising action starts right after the period of exposition and ends at the climax. Beginning with the inciting incident, rising action is the bulk of the plot. It is composed of a series of events that build on the conflict and increase the tension, sending the story racing to a dramatic climax.
Is the plot the climax?
Climax. Another element of the PLOT is the CLIMAX. The CLIMAX of the story is when the CONFLICT of the PLOT is resolved.It is often the most exciting part of the story: when the hero saves the princess, discovers the buried treasure, or slays the dragon.
What are the 3 main parts of an exposition?
1) Exposition (introduction) - Beginning of the story; characters, background, and setting revealed. 2) Rising Action - Events in the story become complicated; the conflict is revealed. These are events between the introduction and climax. 3) Climax - Turning point of the story.
Is conflict part of exposition?
Exposition sets up the story, including the setting, conflict and characters. This vital part of the plot not only indicates what the story will be about, but also draws the reader into the story.
What is the exposition rising action climax?
Definition: The sequence of events told in a story, plot is also known as narrative structure. There are usually considered to be five elements in a plot line: exposition or background information, rising action (that which complicates the story), climax or crisis, falling action, and resolution.
How to describe exposition?
Some additional key details about exposition: 1 Writers can introduce exposition into a story in a variety of ways, but it appears across all genres and styles of storytelling. 2 The individual pieces of background information that writers use to create exposition are known as expository details. 3 The word exposition comes from the Latin word exponere, which means to put out, exhibit, or explain. 4 Some people use the term "exposition" as if it's a bad thing, which awkwardly breaks up the flow of a story with chunks of background detail. It's important to understand that all literature involves some sort of exposition, and it can be done either well (such that as a reader you almost don't realize it's happening) or badly (such that it lamely messes up the pacing or energy of the story).
What is the definition of exposition?
Here’s a quick and simple definition: Exposition is the description or explanation of background information within a work of literature. Exposition can cover characters and their relationship to one another, the setting or time and place of events, as well as any relevant ideas, details, or historical context.
How do writers add expository details to a story?
Writers can also build suspense by withholding expository details, and then revealing them later in a story.
What is the purpose of characters speaking in a monologue?
The words that characters speak—either in dialogue or monologue—are often used to communicate both direct and indirect exposition, and can convey important background information to the reader.
What is exposition in writing?
Writers can introduce exposition into a story in a variety of ways, but it appears across all genres and styles of storytelling. The individual pieces of background information that writers use to create exposition are known as expository details.
What is the Prologue about in Shakespeare's play?
With this prologue, Shakespeare uses direct exposition to convey important background information. He is telling the audience that the play is set in Verona and is about two feuding families who are of equal status and share equal blame for the feud and the deaths of civilians.
What is the purpose of a prologue?
Prologues and epilogues are two tools writers can use to create exposition, providing readers with information that allows them to better understand the story or themes of a work of literature. A prologue is a short introduction to a work of literature that provides context and background information for the story ...
What is exposition in writing?
Exposition is a literary device that communicates key information to your reader. This can be information about your characters, the setting, important events, or historically significant events that contributes to your story.
How much exposition does your story need?
Using exposition is a double-edged sword: too much, and your story gets bogged down with extraneous information. Too little, and your readers won’t know what’s going on.
Direct vs. indirect exposition
Exposition comes through your story in two ways: directly and indirectly. Let’s look at the difference.
4 ways to incorporate exposition into your story
There are a few different ways you can work exposition into your writing. Let’s look at where exposition can show up in your story.
Pros and cons of using exposition
Exposition is an important literary device in your story, but it has to be used with finesse. Here are a few of the risks and rewards of using exposition in your writing.
3 examples of effective exposition in literature
Exposition is all about communicating the most possible information in the least amount of words, while maintaining the forward motion of the story. Here are a few examples of exposition from literature that show whole worlds in just a few moments.
Use exposition to sharpen your story
Exposition is an essential part of every story—not just in the beginning, but throughout its entire journey. By using exposition in writing you can give your readers a wider view of the world you’re creating, you can give your characters new depth and new facets, and you can broaden your core story to include a greater range of space and time.
Why is exposition important in a story?
Exposition is important in a story because it allows the reader to see the location and factors of time, such as season, year of life , etc. It also introduces the characters. Without an idea of where and when the characters are, readers will be confused about why certain events are happening. Without a clear idea of how the characters are connected, readers may be confused, as well. The exposition is like that introductory paragraph in an essay – readers need to know where the story takes place and what characters they’ll be following.
What is the exposition of a story?
What is Exposition? The exposition of a story is the first paragraph or paragraphs in which the characters, setting (time and place), and basic information is introduced. A lot of movies show the exposition by panning over the city or countryside and showing the main character doing something such as walking, working, or waking up.
What is an example of exposition in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet?
A classic example of exposition can be found in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” Many plays start with prologues or monologues to cue viewers into the setting and characters. The prologue gives us background information such as the families involved, where they are, why there is a problem with Romeo and Juliet’s affection for each other, and the result of their feelings. This play is still a part of many schools’ curriculum due to its timeless story of forbidden love.
What movie has an exposition?
A very clear and strong example of an exposition is from the movie “Pride and Prejudice, ” which stars Kiera Knightly and is adapted from Jane Austen’s book written in 1813. Our protagonist, Elizabeth (Lizzy), is featured walking in from the meadows while reading a book, illustrating her love of walks and books.
What are some examples of expositions?
Examples of Exposition. Expositions are the place to show the reader a little bit of the location and what kind of time is involved in the story, along with some of the major characters. Tommy kicked angrily at the rocks in front of him as he walked to the little store up the road. The gravel road was quiet, with only the dust from his feet rising ...
What is the Avengers of S.H.I.E.L.D. series about?
A television series, Marvel’s “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” features a group of Avengers who attempt to protect the world after the Battle of New York. This series, like most others, features an exposition at the start of a new season and each episode.
What would happen without exposition?
Without exposition non of the details of a story would exist. Therefore, the major events and actions wouldn’t make sense. Consider it this way, without learning about a character’s background whether that’s their parentage, how they were raised, or their hopes and dreams, it is hard to care about what happens to them. The same can be said for places and events. It is difficult to be moved by a conflict when there is no information about the two sides or how they came to be there in the first place.
What is exposition in writing?
Exposition is one of many devices that can apply to all forms of writing including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, prose poetry, and drama. Each of these genres of writing is capable of containing “background information”. It is not just literature that contains exposition. It is also found in movies, television shows, short films, and more.
How do writers create exposition?
These include through narration, such as in The Hobbit, through dialogue, internal monologue (aka the character’s thoughts), and through other elements such as strategically placed newspaper clippings or open books.
When is exposition bad?
We’ve all read stories where the exposition brought the story’s momentum to a screeching halt. It hurt. It may have even stopped you reading, made you put down the book (or your kindle), and possibly even did enough damage that you never went back to finish the story.
Balance exposition with mystery
So, what do you do when you know that you need to explain at least a few things to the reader? The trick is to start off by getting them to care about characters first. Let them see the characters involved in situations and drop little hints along the way. It’s fine if the reader has to do a double-take and starts asking questions.
Exposition through dialogue
This can be done very well or terribly. Be careful if you choose to explain things through dialogue.
Let your character do research and read books
I’ll call this one the Hermione Granger trick because JK Rowling used it so much in every one of the Harry Potter books. Need Harry (and the audience) to know something that’s hard to have him just come upon by himself? Hermione Granger probably read a book about it.
How do you avoid the bad kind of exposition?
It’s straight back to the old, “show don’t tell” maxim. If you can possibly show what you want to convey, then do it. Don’t tell your reader that the old man is sad because his wife died the year before and he’s so lonely now that he’s contemplating suicide. Pay attention to his every move and show your reader how he feels.
Exposition Definition
Exposition Examples
- Exposition Examples in Literature
All literature that involves a story includes some sort of exposition. If it didn't the characters would exist in a world without context, without histories or a setting. - Exposition in Pop Music
Songs often tell stories just as novels or other literature does. While not all songs tell stories that require exposition, those that do often contain exposition.
What's The Function of Exposition in Literature?
- Exposition locates readers in the world of the story: it establishes the "who, what, where, when," and sometimes "why" of a plot. Depending on a writer's goals and the style in which they are writing, they may place exposition at the beginning of a story, or they may introduce it gradually throughout the text, often with the aim of creating mystery...
Other Helpful Exposition Resources
- A guide to writing exposition in literature: Award-winning author Rachel Simon offers a writer's perspective on how to use direct and indirect exposition.
- A guide to exposition in film:Advice on how to work exposition into film.
- 18 Genius Pieces of Movie Exposition:A list that gives good examples of the different ways that some directors worked exposition into their movies.
I. What Is Exposition?
- The exposition of a story is the first paragraph or paragraphs in which the characters, setting (time and place), and basic information is introduced. A lot of movies show the exposition by panning over the city or countryside and showing the main character doing something such as walking, working, or waking up. These scenes allow the readers to un...
II. Examples of Exposition
- Expositions are the place to show the reader a little bit of the location and what kind of time is involved in the story, along with some of the major characters. Tommy kicked angrily at the rocks in front of him as he walked to the little store up the road. The gravel road was quiet, with only the dust from his feet rising up from the ground. The Texas spring was hotter and drier than normal…
III. Methods of Exposition
- a. Backstory/Prologue
Some books or stories will have a “Prologue” before the first chapter or a scene showing something from the past. This prologue or backstory sets the story by giving a description of events that have affected or lead the main character up to the present time in the story. It will al… - b. Inner Monologue/Flashback
The story may start with the character in his or her present time, showing the time and place (setting) at that moment. Then the protagonist (main character) may have a flashback or have an inner monologue (speaking to him- her-self) that shows the reader a previous event which impac…
IV. The Importance of Exposition
- Exposition is important in a story because it allows the reader to see the location and factors of time, such as season, year of life, etc. It also introduces the characters. Without an idea of where and when the characters are, readers will be confused about why certain events are happening. Without a clear idea of how the characters are connected, readers may be confused, as well. Th…
v. Examples of Exposition in Literature
- Example 1
An interesting book about the magic of words in a story is “Inkheart” by Cornelia Funke. When Meggie was a toddler, her mother disappeared as her father read a story to her. That story was Inkheart.He is now searching the world for another copy of the book because as he was reading… - Example 2
A classic example of exposition can be found in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” Many plays start with prologues or monologuesto cue viewers into the setting and characters. The prologue gives us background information such as the families involved, where they are, why there is a pr…
VI. Examples of Exposition in Pop Culture
- Example 1
Super heroes have been a popular part of our culture for many decades. A popular comic book brand, Marvel comics, is best known for the Avengers, heroes with super powers who save the world over and over. A television series, Marvel’s “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” features a group of Ave… - Example 2
A very clear and strong example of an exposition is from the movie “Pride and Prejudice,” which stars Kiera Knightly and is adapted from Jane Austen’s book written in 1813. Our protagonist, Elizabeth (Lizzy), is featured walking in from the meadows while reading a book, illustrating her l…
VII. Related Terms
- Introduction
The introduction is the opening paragraphs or sentences in a piece of writing that gives the topic and what will be said about it. Additional information may be the thesis and a preview of the main ideas. To introduce the topic, an interesting fact or short story may be given.
VIII. Conclusion
- The exposition is an important part to any narrative or tale. A clear description of the setting and introducing characters will make your story easy to follow and much more interesting. Without it, readers will not have a context or understanding of events as the story unfolds.