What is exposition?
The introductory information or background explanation in a piece of writing.
Exposition: Setting the Stage for Your Story
Exposition is the groundwork for your narrative, the materials that you use to build your story from the ground up.
It's not simply the backstory, nor is it just the introductory words at the start of your writing. It's the weaving together of all the necessary information the reader will need to fully understand the plot and its characters, both on the page and behind the scenes.
The key to a successful exposition is balance: giving the reader just enough information without overwhelming them with details or slowing them down with backstory. When done right, you can get your reader on board with your story from the first sentence, leaving them eager to turn the page and discover more about the world you're building.
Exposition has been used in literature for centuries, setting the stage and revealing key information.
In F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, the exposition occurs in the very first page. Nick Carraway, the narrator, introduces himself, establishes the background, and sets the tone for the novel: 'In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since.'
This simple opening line provides insight into Nick's character and his motivations for telling the story, while hinting at the themes of the novel in just a few elegant words.
In J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Rowling doesn't just introduce us to Harry, she immerses us in his world. From the first sentence, we're given a glimpse into the magical community and Harry's place within it: 'Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much.'
Through this opening, we're introduced to the mundane world that Harry is about to leave behind, setting the stage for the adventure that is to come.