Infodumps

An infodump is a block of exposition that delivers a large amount of background information in a short span. It is used to convey worldbuilding details, histories, rules of magic or technology, or the credentials and relationships of characters. Infodumps appear in novels, films, television, and games, and are especially common in fantasy, science fiction, and fan fiction, where unfamiliar systems require explanation.

Delivery typically takes the form of a narrator’s explanation, a character’s long lecture, expository dialogue, or document-like inserts such as letters, reports, or encyclopedic entries. They can also be embedded in the structure of a scene, for example through a character recalling past events or citing official records.

Infodumps offer the advantage of quickly establishing necessary context and preventing confusion. They can clarify complex frameworks, politics, or lore that drive the plot. Their main drawback is disruption: they can slow pacing, reduce suspense, and feel didactic or artificial if overused or poorly integrated.

Best practices aim to minimize disruption while preserving clarity. Techniques include revealing information gradually, showing rather than telling when possible, weaving context into dialogue or action, and using in-universe artifacts or documents that characters interact with. Alternately, writers can distribute background details across scenes, or situate revelations at points of character decision or consequence.

In practice, infodumps are a tool with mixed reception; when used sparingly and integrated thoughtfully, they can illuminate setting without sacrificing momentum.