What is the narrative device that indicates the introduction of background information in a story?

In literature, the narrative device known as exposition serves a crucial role in storytelling by providing the necessary background information for the reader. This may include details about characters, settings, and events that are essential for understanding the context and situation in which the narrative unfolds.

Exposition typically occurs at the beginning of a story and sets the stage for the subsequent events that will take place. By establishing the setting, introducing key characters, and hinting at potential conflicts, exposition ensures that readers have the foundational knowledge needed to follow and engage with the plot. In contrast, the other narrative elements such as conflict, rising action, and climax occur after the exposition and are focused on developing the story’s action, tension, and resolution. Thus, the exposition is integral to the narrative structure, as it provides clarity and anchors the reader in the world of the story.