A block of background that stops story motion to teach the reader.

A block of background that stops story motion to teach the reader. Prose craft operates at the sentence. Rhythm, image, and distance shape feel on every page.

As a concept, it names a force readers feel even when they never use the word.

Why it matters

Info dump belongs to line-level craft. Manuscript Health Check and line edits often flag related patterns.

Common pitfalls

Using info dump as a label without checking whether the page actually performs the job.
Letting info dump crowd out scene goal, conflict, or change at the end of the unit.

Example only

Readers feel info dump when stakes tighten after the ally refuses to help.

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Info dump

Also called

exposition dump

BeginnerTone & prose styleReference

A block of background that stops story motion to teach the reader.

A block of background that stops story motion to teach the reader. Prose craft operates at the sentence. Rhythm, image, and distance shape feel on every page.

As a concept, it names a force readers feel even when they never use the word.

Why it matters

Info dump belongs to line-level craft. Manuscript Health Check and line edits often flag related patterns.

Common pitfalls

Using info dump as a label without checking whether the page actually performs the job.
Letting info dump crowd out scene goal, conflict, or change at the end of the unit.

Example only

Readers feel info dump when stakes tighten after the ally refuses to help.