Spects need certain information in order to play. The most crucial is the context—who’s who, what’s going on, and where they are. A bit of history may also be important. This information is the exposition. Some exposition may be delivered before the story begins, but most comes out while playing.
The key to delivering exposition is to introduce a little bit at a time. If you dump too much information at once, it overwhelms spects. They get stuck in their heads trying to remember all the details. Deliver exposition in a time-release fashion. As initial details become familiar, further information can be introduced.
A good way to deliver exposition is through point of view. Saying how you feel about something provides a good reason to bring it up. Announcing “Here we are in Paris” is clunky. Whining “I thought Paris would be warmer this time of year” embeds the exposition within a point of view.
Exposition can also be delivered through photographs, voicemails, websites, newspapers, memos, and social media. Here again, don’t overload spects with information. Keep the details limited. Provide just enough for spects to begin to play. Let the rest show up as the story unfolds.
Updated: August 22, 2024
