Which key principle of animation deals with how an action is framed to ensure that it is understood by the audience?

The principle of animation that focuses on how an action is framed to ensure clarity for the audience is staging. Staging involves presenting an idea so that it is unmistakably clear. This can include the positioning of characters and objects within a scene, the use of perspective, and the arrangement of elements to guide the viewer’s focus. An effective staging allows the audience to clearly perceive the intention and emotion conveyed by the characters, making it essential in storytelling and character animation. For instance, when animators stage a scene to highlight a character's reaction or an important event, they enhance the audience's understanding, ensuring that the narrative is communicated effectively.

The other principles, while vital to the overall animation process, do not specifically address framing actions for clarity. Squash and stretch relate to the object’s volume and flexibility, follow through pertains to the continuation of movement after an action, and timing deals with the speed of actions and the intervals between them. Each of these principles contributes to the overall fluidity and believability of animation but does not focus specifically on how to frame actions for viewer comprehension.