ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Exposition (literary technique)

Exposition is a fancy word used by authors and writers to explain important details about the story. It's like when your teacher tells you the rules of a new game or when your mom gives you directions to get to your friend's house.

In a story, exposition might explain the background of the characters or the setting where the story takes place. This helps us understand the story better and gives us important information.

For example, let's say you are reading a story about a boy named Jack who climbs up a beanstalk to a giant's castle. The exposition might explain that Jack lives in a small village and his family is poor. This helps us understand Jack's motives for climbing the beanstalk - he wants to find treasure to help his family.

Sometimes authors use dialogue or narration to give us exposition, but other times they show it to us through actions or descriptions. This makes the story more interesting and helps us feel like we are there with the characters.

So basically, exposition is important information that helps us understand the story better. It's like a secret code that only the author can reveal to us!
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