“As You Know, Bob…”: How to Spot—and Fix—Clunky Exposition

Ah, the infamous “As you know, Bob…” exposition trap. It’s the literary equivalent of a stagehand accidentally wandering into a scene—jarring, unnatural, and instantly pulling the reader out of the story.

Why It’s a Problem

Unnatural Dialogue
Imagine two old space troopers chatting. One says, “As you know, Bob, we barely survived the Fourth Moon War together.” It’s painfully obvious they both already know this—so why are they spelling it out? Forced exposition reads more like a script note than real conversation.

Slows Pacing
Dialogue weighed down with background details stalls momentum. When characters explain instead of act, tension dissolves. In Dune, Frank Herbert introduces intricate political systems through conflict and intrigue—not static conversations summarizing history.

Breaks Immersion
Readers want to feel like they’re inhabiting the world, not watching a documentary about it. In The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, Becky Chambers builds character relationships through organic conversations, never dumping in backstory at the expense of flow.

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How to Fix It

Reveal Through Action
Let past events drive the present. Instead of characters awkwardly recounting history, let their actions show it. In Leviathan Wakes (The Expanse series), James S.A. Corey establishes tension between Belters and Earthers without explicitly stating their fraught history. Instead, characters react to slurs like "Earther," feel the weight of low gravity on their bodies, and make choices shaped by systemic oppression—all revealing the world’s politics through action.

Imply What Characters Already Know
Show knowledge in how characters behave rather than spelling it out. In The Fifth Season (N.K. Jemisin), Essun’s relationship with Alabaster is deeply complex, but instead of stopping to explain their history, Jemisin lets their interactions speak for themselves. When they reunite, Essun’s sharp words, Alabaster’s guarded responses, and their shared wariness show their past struggles without resorting to an overt history lesson.

Strategically Drop Details
Instead of info-dumping, slip exposition into emotionally charged moments. In The Left Hand of Darkness, Ursula K. Le Guin introduces the alien gender dynamics of Gethenians through Genly Ai’s experiences rather than dry exposition. Instead of saying “Gethenians have no fixed gender,” we watch Genly struggle with pronouns, misread cultural cues, and gradually adjust—letting readers absorb the worldbuilding naturally.

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The Exception: Intentional Comedy

If done intentionally, “As you know, Bob…” can work as parody, embracing its awkwardness for comedic effect rather than trying to disguise it. Writers like Douglas Adams (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy) lean into exaggerated exposition to poke fun at storytelling conventions, making the absurdity part of the humor.

Take this example, where Ford Prefect tries to explain an interstellar catastrophe to Arthur Dent:

“I eventually had to go and lie down in a dark room with a damp towel over my head. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy says that if you find yourself stuck in a timeline where someone insists on explaining everything to you using entirely unnecessary detail, you should either run, interrupt them rudely, or pretend you’re a chair.”

Here, Adams doesn’t just use exposition—he makes the act of exposition the joke, with Ford growing increasingly exasperated by the unnecessary details being forced upon him.

By deliberately exaggerating exposition, comedic writers make it work because the characters react to it—either mocking it, struggling against it, or delivering it with a knowing wink. So if you’re tempted to use “As you know, Bob…” in your writing, ask yourself: Is it genuinely funny? If yes, lean into the absurdity. If not, it’s probably time to cut it.

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Avoiding “As you know, Bob…” strengthens dialogue and keeps readers immersed. Strong storytelling balances worldbuilding with momentum, ensuring every conversation feels authentic and engaging.