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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/q/7857
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

In a lot of books, movies, or TV shows, there will be a character that knows little to nothing about the subject at hand. Most cop shows and medical shows will have someone who doesn't know very simple things so that the story can be accessible by all. Another prime example of this would be Marty McFly in _Back to the Future_. He knew nothing about time travel (just like the audience) so Doc Brown explaining to him about the inter workings of "flux capacitors" and how fast one must go in a DeLorean to travel in time were to keep the audience from saying "heavy."

In all seriousness though, is there a term for that "literary device?" Is it a literary device?

To follow up, a few movies recently are deciding not to include that character in the interest of realism. They feel in order to keep things as true to life as possible, you would not have a doctor who didn't know simple medical terminology or a cop who didn't know the proper collection procedure. They focus on the story or relationships rather than the jargon. Is this a better way to write? Is it better to alienate some and connect with a few or write to the masses (with the character question in mind)?

**tldr:**

1. Is there a term for that character in many shows that knows nothing whose sole purpose for being there is so the audience can learn as he does?
2. Should you use this type of character in writing?

Original score: 16