DESCRIPTION VS EXPOSITION
Dialogue is easily identifiable due to its charming little quotation marks, but not all text that lacks dialogue can be grouped together. The distinction between description and exposition can be somewhat challenging to identify, yet it certainly exists. The essential point to keep in mind is this equation:
How can we tell description apart from exposition? Here are some of the main differences.
Exposition:
Presents a sequence of events or facts.
Briefly touches on moments that aren’t significant.
Delivers information to the reader swiftly and straightforwardly.
Tells us, rather than shows.
Description:
Creates a vivid image of a particular moment or aspect of the story.
Explores one moment in depth, revealing the details to the reader.
Encourages the reader to infer and uncover information.
Shows, rather than tells.
Understanding when to use description and exposition is key. Many writing instructors offer general advice like “Show, don’t tell.” This suggests that writers should always choose description over exposition, but that’s not necessarily true. Both have their appropriate times and places.
Exposition:
Is essential for transitioning from point A to point B in a narrative. Relying solely on description would mean that stories would stagnate. Without exposition, readers would remain trapped in each moment of the story, whether those moments are significant or not. The trick is to highlight the crucial elements of the story while swiftly moving past the less important ones.
Description:
Is beneficial when you aim to immerse the reader in a particular moment of the narrative. Using description requires the reader to engage more deeply with the text, as it compels us to connect on a more profound level. Conversely, description is also a primary factor that draws us into that moment, creating the sensation of being “lost in the story.”
In the realm of description and exposition, a skilled writer doesn’t exclusively rely on one while neglecting the other. Ultimately, it’s about achieving a harmonious balance between the two and knowing how to leverage each technique to enhance the story.