How much exposition is too much exposition?

[Darth_Biomech]

So basically, make it look like the characters have decided themselves that they have to give the information rather than making it seem like it's the author talking through the characters. I hope that makes sense.

In this case it's more of a character's job to do that, rather than a decision... They're researching crash site of an alien vessel, by the government's orders, so it would be strange that they would feel like turning in a report. I'm not sure if this is gives points to the "author talking through" or to the realistic depiction of the scenario, as it should be.

[SuperRazz]

In this case it's more of a character's job to do that, rather than a decision.

There you go. That's their motivation. They have a reason to deliver that report.
I was under the impression that the "report scene" was just going to be placed there to explain things. But it seems like the events that led them to do the research and report was decided by the government.

But you mentioned them researching a crash site of an alien vessel? Wouldn't it be better to show the characters learning information from the crash site rather than them talking about it in a report? I'd imagine the environment of an alien ship to be more interesting than a conference room.

[monotone_ink]

A bit is fine, but don't go full Togashi.

[dawgofdawgness]

This gave me flashbacks to when I had to read Tale of Two Cities in English class

[ble]

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[Darth_Biomech]

Hm, I have found this video in my feed, that seems oddly relevant to my questions and provide some insight on to how to weave exposition into the story, or to be more exact, how to prime the reader\viewer to receive it.

[JRHoch]

Once you reference John Wick, you basically win the debate.

[JRHoch]

We're John Wick-ing now. No Matrix!

[Darth_Biomech]

for example, John Wick doesn't explain anything yet we have no problem understanding what is happening or how the world works.

Yeah, but John Wick is set in our world and there's almost nothing you need to explain. There's these contract killers that follow The Code™ and work for golden coins. That's all that's different from our world. And you don't even need to exposit it at all - it can be compiled from the plot events rather effortlessly. You don't need to explain what United States is, or who the criminal leaders are. In fantasy or scifi the differences are much grander than that.

[tchotchkeco]

I personally hate info dumps early on. It’s one of the quickest way to turn me away. If you make a complicated world you can always spread out the info throughout it and let readers learn along the way. Cause when I keep getting hit with info after info early on then I’m already noping out.