1. Flashback and Foreshadowing
Standard 3.6 Analyze and trace an author’s development of time sequence, including the use of complex literary devices (e.g., foreshadowing, flashback).
Flashback
and Foreshadowing
Hello, my name is _________________
Today we are going to talk about two techniques writers use to put together a story:
Flashback and Foreshadowing

2. Number of Questions
The literary response and analysis section of the CAHSEE contains 20 multiple choice questions. There are two questions on the CAHSEE regarding your understanding of Standard 3.6.
The literary response and analysis section of the High School Exit Exam
contains 20 multiple choice questions. There are two questions on the High School Exit Exam
regarding your understanding of Standard 3.6.

3. Purpose
Identifying flashbacks and foreshadowing helps you understand the sequence of events in the story.
Flashbacks add information to the story.
Foreshadowing helps the reader anticipate what might be coming.
Why teach flaskback and foreshadowing?
• Identifying flashbacks and foreshadowing helps you understand the sequence of events in the story.
• Authors use flashbacks to add information from the past the reader might need to fully understand the story.
• Foreshadowing helps the reader anticipate what might be coming. Authors use foreshadowing to tie bits
and pieces of the plot into a coherent story.

4. Chronological (time) order
Order of Events
Most stories are told in a certain order.
Sequential order
Chronological (time) order
Writers use these strategies to tell a story.
Order of Events
All texts are told in a certain order.
Sequential order or
Chronological (time) order
Writers use these strategies to tell a story.

5. Clues to Sequences First Next Then Last Finally
These words give you clues that the text is being told in chronological (time) order:
First
Next
Then
Last
Finally
Clues to Sequences
These words give you clues that the text is
being told in chronological (time) order:
First
Next
Then
Last
Finally

6. Flashback
Sometimes authors need to tell you about events that happened before the story begins. To not confuse you, the author might stop the story to give you information about characters, events or conflicts in the past. When the author does this, it is called a flashback.
Flashback
Sometimes authors need to tell you about events
that happened before the story begins.
So the author won’t confuse you, the author might stop the story
to give you information about characters, events or conflicts in the past.
When the author does this, it is called a flashback.

7. Identifying a Flashback
You can tell you’re reading a flashback when the scene changes and the story flashes back to the past.
Sometimes an entire chapter in story is a flashback.
There may be more than one flashback within a story.
Authors often give you clues, such as:
“It all started when…”
“That brings us to today…”
You can tell you’re reading a flashback because the scene and
The time will change in the telling of the story.
Sometimes an entire chapter in story is a flashback.
There may be more than one flashback within a story.
Authors often give you clues, such as:
“It all started when…”
“That brings us to today…”

8. Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing is a warning or hint about an event that may happen in the future of the story.
ON THE OTHER HAND, Foreshadowing is a warning or hint about an event that may happen in the future of the story

9. Identify Foreshadowing
Look for incidents that happen early on in the story that might relate to a character.
Look for clues which suggest what might happen next.
NOTE: A famous playwright wrote that if you put a gun onstage in Act I, you must use it by Act II.
What might that mean?
Look for incidents that happen early in the story that might relate to a character.
Look for clues which suggest what might happen next.
NOTE: A famous playwright wrote that if you put
a gun onstage in Act I, you must use it by Act II.
What might that mean?
Just remember tat foreshadowing is an important element in stories--and plays

10. What might the incident foreshadow?
Example
You’re reading a story and it’s set in an old house. The family is sitting at the table eating dinner when suddenly the lights go off and on without anyone touching the switch. The family goes on eating dinner and eventually they forget about the incident with the lights.
What might the incident foreshadow?
You’re reading a story and it’s set in an old house.
The family is sitting at the table eating dinner when
suddenly the lights go off and on without anyone touching the switch.
The family goes on eating dinner and eventually
they forget about the incident with the lights.
What might the incident foreshadow?

11. Making a Guess
The incident with the lights foreshadows something bad that will happen in the story.
The incident with the lights foreshadows something bad that will happen in the story.
I’ll let you fill in the details.
Thank you for coming today.