A complete discussion of the rhetorical structure of public speeches requires a

fuller treatise than can be undertaken in a work of this nature, yet in this

chapter, and in the succeeding ones on "Description," "Narration," "Argument,"

and "Pleading," the underlying principles are given and explained as fully as

need be for a working knowledge, and adequate book references are given for

those who would perfect themselves in rhetorical art.

 

_The Nature of Exposition_

 

In the word "expose"--_to lay bare, to uncover, to show the true inwardness

of_--we see the foundation-idea of "Exposition." It is the clear and precise

setting forth of what the subject really is--it is explanation.

 

Exposition does not draw a picture, for that would be description. To tell in

exact terms what the automobile is, to name its characteristic parts and explain

their workings, would be exposition; so would an explanation of the nature of

"fear." But to create a mental image of a particular automobile, with its

glistening body, graceful lines, and great speed, would be description; and so

would a picturing of fear acting on the emotions of a child at night. Exposition

and description often intermingle and overlap, but fundamentally they are

distinct. Their differences will be touched upon again in the chapter on

"Description."

 

Exposition furthermore does not include an account of how events happened--that