Name of SE Hinton’s Writerly Technique: Weaving Exposition and Action
Explanation of technique: SE Hinton masterfully weaves exposition (introduction to characters and setting and background information) with action in the opening pages of her novel, The Outsiders. What makes this technique so good: This works because if the entire opening pages were exposition, the reader would grow bored and lost in all the information about the characters and setting. By including action, Hinton almost sneaks in the exposition. As you will see in the chart below, almost every other sentence in these paragraphs switches back and forth between action and exposition. |
Here's a breakdown of how SE Hinton weaves action & exposition:
Action “I spotted the red Corvair trailing me. I was almost two blocks from home then, so I started walking a little faster” (4). Exposition “I had never been jumped, but I had seen Johnny after four Socs got hold of him, and it wasn’t pretty. Johnny was scared of his own shadow after that. Johnny was sixteen then” (4). Action “I knew it wasn’t any use though – the fast walking, I mean – even before the Corvair pulled up beside me and five Socs got out. I got pretty scared –“ (4). Exposition “I’m kind of small for fourteen even though I have a good build, and those guys were bigger than me” (4). Action “I automatically hitched my thumbs in my jeans and slouched, wondering if I could get away if I made a break for it” (4). Exposition “I remembered Johnny – his face all cut up and bruised, and I remembered how he had cried when we found him, half-conscious, in the corner lot. Johnny had it awful rough at home – it took a lot to make him cry” (4). Action “I was sweating something fierce, although I was cold. I could feel my palms getting clammy and the perspiration running down my back” (4). Exposition “I get like that when I’m real scared” (4). Action “I glanced around for a pop bottle or a stick or something – “ (4). Exposition “Steve Randle, Soda’s best buddy, had once held off four guys with a busted pop bottle -- but there was nothing” (4). Action “So I stood there like a bump on a log while they surrounded me” (4). Exposition “I don’ t use my head” (4). Action “They walked around slowly, silently, smiling” (4). |
Writers can borrow SE Hinton’s technique when revising their own novels, by following these steps:
1) Re-read the opening paragraphs of your novel.
2) Highlight the exposition in color. Highlight the action in another color.
3) If you find that there is not an even balance between the two, add more of one or the other.
4) You can even go as far as SE Hinton and switch back and forth between exposition and action in every other sentence.
1) Re-read the opening paragraphs of your novel.
2) Highlight the exposition in color. Highlight the action in another color.
3) If you find that there is not an even balance between the two, add more of one or the other.
4) You can even go as far as SE Hinton and switch back and forth between exposition and action in every other sentence.