Exposition - Definition and Overview

An exposition may be one of the following:

• In music an exposition is the first of the sections in sonata allegro form. It usually presents two contrasting themes, the first in the tonic key, the second in a related one (perhaps the dominant or relative major).
• Exposition is French for 'exhibition' but often used in English, notably in the title of the World's fairs. It is sometimes shortened to Expo.
• In fiction, an alternative name for a plot dump.
• In roman-catholic worship exposition is a service in wich the Blessed Sacrament is exposed in a monstrance.
• In dramatic structure, exposition is a story element that provides important background information about protagontist, conflicts, etc.