Exposition
noun
A detailed explanation or description of something so as to make it clear.
The author provides a thorough exposition of his theory in the book's introduction.
Often appears as...
- detailed exposition
- exposition of theory
Usage tips
Academic
noun
The part of a play or work of fiction in which the background to the main conflict is introduced.
The exposition of the movie quickly introduces the main characters and their relationships with each other.
Often appears as...
- exposition in storytelling
- narrative exposition
Usage tips
Literary
noun
A public show or exhibition showcasing art, products, or skills.
The International Exposition of Modern and Contemporary Art attracts millions of visitors each year.
Often appears as...
- art exposition
- trade exposition
noun
A detailed explanation or description of something so as to make it clear.
The author provides a thorough exposition of his theory in the book's introduction.
Often appears as...
- detailed exposition
- exposition of theory
Usage tips
Academic
noun
The part of a play or work of fiction in which the background to the main conflict is introduced.
The exposition of the movie quickly introduces the main characters and their relationships with each other.
Often appears as...
- exposition in storytelling
- narrative exposition
Usage tips
Literary
noun
A public show or exhibition showcasing art, products, or skills.
The International Exposition of Modern and Contemporary Art attracts millions of visitors each year.
Often appears as...
- art exposition
- trade exposition
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Clarity Purpose
Exposition makes complex topics clear. It 'unpacks' ideas so readers understand.
Her description served as an exposition that clarified quantum physics.
Pro Tip 2/3Avoid Overuse
Too much exposition can overwhelm. Use it to clarify, not to exhaust the reader.
Avoid lengthy expositions; keep explanations concise.
Pro Tip 3/3Use in Argument
Exposition can strengthen an argument by clearly presenting all necessary information.
His essay opened with an exposition of the historical context.
Pro Tip 1/3Clarity Purpose
Exposition makes complex topics clear. It 'unpacks' ideas so readers understand.
Her description served as an exposition that clarified quantum physics.
Pro Tip 2/3Avoid Overuse
Too much exposition can overwhelm. Use it to clarify, not to exhaust the reader.
Avoid lengthy expositions; keep explanations concise.
Pro Tip 3/3Use in Argument
Exposition can strengthen an argument by clearly presenting all necessary information.
His essay opened with an exposition of the historical context.
Pro Tip 1/3Clarity Purpose
Exposition makes complex topics clear. It 'unpacks' ideas so readers understand.
Her description served as an exposition that clarified quantum physics.
Pro Tip 2/3Avoid Overuse
Too much exposition can overwhelm. Use it to clarify, not to exhaust the reader.
Avoid lengthy expositions; keep explanations concise.
Pro Tip 3/3Use in Argument
Exposition can strengthen an argument by clearly presenting all necessary information.
His essay opened with an exposition of the historical context.
Compare with
clarifydemonstrationdescriptionelaborateexegesisexplanationillustrationinterpretpresentation
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Video examples
Capturing authentic...
identifying what is compelling from what is chatter? You ask surprising questions. To achieve the complicated, fragile human connection, you regard the stories of every subject as sacred. Realize that an anecdote is oxygen that breathes life into a grey story of exposition,
Video examples
CO Finalist PIPE National...
Magellan because he was definitely great Explorer he led the first expedition the circumnavigated the earth and reached a huge milestone at the time even though he didn't make it to the end of the exposition he has really changed the way people think of the world today
Video examples
Liz Diller: Architecture...
We wanted to make an architecture of atmosphere. So, no walls, no roof, no purpose -- just a mass of atomized water, a big cloud. And this proposal was a reaction to the over-saturation of emergent technologies in recent national and world expositions,
Video examples
Capturing authentic...
identifying what is compelling from what is chatter? You ask surprising questions. To achieve the complicated, fragile human connection, you regard the stories of every subject as sacred. Realize that an anecdote is oxygen that breathes life into a grey story of exposition,
Video examples
CO Finalist PIPE National...
Magellan because he was definitely great Explorer he led the first expedition the circumnavigated the earth and reached a huge milestone at the time even though he didn't make it to the end of the exposition he has really changed the way people think of the world today
Video examples
Liz Diller: Architecture...
We wanted to make an architecture of atmosphere. So, no walls, no roof, no purpose -- just a mass of atomized water, a big cloud. And this proposal was a reaction to the over-saturation of emergent technologies in recent national and world expositions,
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
P. T. Barnum
American Entertainer
The show business has all phases and grades of dignity, from the exhibition of a monkey to the exposition of that highest art in music or the drama which secures for the gifted artists a world-wide fame princes well might envy.
Quote examples
Sam Esmail
American Director
I use voiceover just like I use dialogue. There's a way to give out information or give out insight to the character or give out their worldview, and maybe you have to slip in exposition, but it's all about how you write it.
Quote examples
Nancy Kress
American Writer
Exposition has legitimate uses. It's the most efficient way to summarize background information, including necessary information about a character's history. It can set the stage well for a major dramatized event.
Quote examples
David Leitch
American Actor
The thing that I like about action sequences is that if they're done well, you get to know more about the character in those few minutes than you do through 10 minutes of exposition.
Quote examples
Richard Bausch
American Novelist
Keep everything in context, and try to have each line doing more than one thing - not just giving exposition but also revealing character and history, etc.
Quote examples
William Butler Yeats
Irish Poet
People who lean on logic and philosophy and rational exposition end by starving the best part of the mind.
Quote examples
Charles Forsman
American Author
I'm a huge fan of not doing world-building or exposition. My eyes glaze over when I see it.
Quote examples
Tim Pigott-Smith
English Actor
American writers reduce the length of time devoted to exposition and character development.
Quote examples
Milan Kundera
Czechoslovakian Writer
Every change of scene requires new expositions, descriptions, explanations.
Quote examples
Anson Mount
American Actor
I'm an enemy of exposition. I feel there's no need to overstate.
Quote examples
P. T. Barnum
American Entertainer
The show business has all phases and grades of dignity, from the exhibition of a monkey to the exposition of that highest art in music or the drama which secures for the gifted artists a world-wide fame princes well might envy.
Quote examples
Sam Esmail
American Director
I use voiceover just like I use dialogue. There's a way to give out information or give out insight to the character or give out their worldview, and maybe you have to slip in exposition, but it's all about how you write it.
Quote examples
Nancy Kress
American Writer
Exposition has legitimate uses. It's the most efficient way to summarize background information, including necessary information about a character's history. It can set the stage well for a major dramatized event.
Quote examples
David Leitch
American Actor
The thing that I like about action sequences is that if they're done well, you get to know more about the character in those few minutes than you do through 10 minutes of exposition.
Quote examples
Richard Bausch
American Novelist
Keep everything in context, and try to have each line doing more than one thing - not just giving exposition but also revealing character and history, etc.
Quote examples
William Butler Yeats
Irish Poet
People who lean on logic and philosophy and rational exposition end by starving the best part of the mind.
Quote examples
Charles Forsman
American Author
I'm a huge fan of not doing world-building or exposition. My eyes glaze over when I see it.
Quote examples
Tim Pigott-Smith
English Actor
American writers reduce the length of time devoted to exposition and character development.
Quote examples
Milan Kundera
Czechoslovakian Writer
Every change of scene requires new expositions, descriptions, explanations.
Quote examples
Anson Mount
American Actor
I'm an enemy of exposition. I feel there's no need to overstate.
Example 1 of 10
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