exposition

Exposition is a term with several related meanings, all centered on presenting information to illuminate understanding. It denotes the act of exposing or presenting facts, ideas, or background so that something can be comprehended. In writing and communication, exposition provides the essential setup that makes later events intelligible, including context, definitions, and relationships.

In literature and drama, exposition is the portion of a work that conveys background about characters, settings, and prior events. Its purpose is to establish context, clarify stakes, and orient the audience. Writers and filmmakers use dialogue, narration, description, or visual detail to convey this information. Balanced exposition aims to inform without slowing momentum, avoiding excessive or unnecessary background.

Exposition also refers to a public event—an exhibition or fair in which organizations display products, culture, or discoveries. Trade expositions and world expositions (worlds fairs) have historically showcased technology and urban development, shaping industries and public perception. Notable examples include the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London and subsequent Expos such as Expo 1889 in Paris and Expo 1967 in Montreal. In contemporary usage, expositions continue to serve as venues for showcasing innovation and international cooperation.

Etymology traces exposition to the Latin exponere, meaning to set forth or expose. The term is used across disciplines to describe the process of making information accessible and intelligible to an audience, whether through narrative, demonstration, or organized public display.