Foreshadow and Flashback Lesson!
Step 1
Watch the video about foreshadowing to learn about the impact of
foreshadowing on plot development as well as how to make logical
inferences.!
> > CLICK HERE TO VIEW the VIDEO < <
Step 2
Complete the practice sheets titled “Foreshadow”!
(Appears Below)!
www.languageartsteachers.com
Or SCAN HERE
to watch on
your device
Step 3
Watch the video about flashback to learn about the impact of the impact
of flashback on plot development as well as how to make logical
inferences.!
> > CLICK HERE TO VIEW the VIDEO < <
Step 4
Complete the practice sheets titled “Flashback”!
(Appears Below)!
FINAL TASK FOR THE WEEK
Choose a short story, novel, or movie (can be something you’re already reading or a
favorite you’ve read before) and . . . !
> > share an example of how the writer uses FORESHADOWING to hint at things to
come later on in the plot
> > share an example of how the writer uses FLASHBACK to fill in the gaps of a story
or to show us new information we need to know
(Share = Write it down, or record a video explaining it in your own words, or give the
example using a Google slide, etc.)
www.languageartsteachers.com
Or SCAN HERE
to watch on
your device
foreshadow
Foreshadow
A writer uses foreshadow to give clues about what could happen later in the story.
FORESHADOW
EXAMPLE:
WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN LATER IN THE STORY
A clue about a
character
Mrs. Dennis was not one to put up with anything. If a child in the
neighborhood even took a walk down the sidewalk in front of her
house, she would give that child a mean look and shoo him on his
way. Except for Eric. Mrs. Dennis thought Eric looked like he was
maybe the one and only nice kid on the block.
Mrs. Dennis may not be all that bad. This
makes me think that she and Eric might even
become friends and then maybe Eric will show
her that the other kids are good, too.
A clue about the plot
(what might happen
next)
The old house creaked and moaned as if it were alive, waiting for
someone to move in and take care of it. The shutters flapped in
the wind and the burned-out roof seemed to beg for a new owner
to fix it up. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson paused at the corner and looked
up at the house, then at each other, then back up at the house.
Mr. Johnson decided to make a phone call.
A clue about an
upcoming problem
Jason tossed his homework folder on the kitchen table. He had
been in so much trouble last week for not getting it all done
before his mom got home from work. He knew he had to get it
done this time. He thought about how happy his mom would be to
see that he had it finished. Jason reached for a pencil but instead,
saw his game controller sitting there looking so lonely. Just one
quick game he thought to himself. I can still get the homework
done in plenty of time.
A clue about events in
the story (plot)
Emerson wasn’t worried about what her friends said when they
told her things would never be the same after her new little sister
was born. She and her mom and and her dad would be the same
as ever! The new addition to the family would be just perfect and
now Emerson would get to babysit all the time and prove over
and over how good and responsible she could be. This new baby
would be the best thing to ever happen in their family! She just
knew it!
foreshadow
Foreshadow
A writer uses foreshadow to give clues about what could happen later in the story.
Use a short story, book, or movie to fill out the chart below with examples of foreshadow.
FORESHADOW
EXAMPLE FROM YOUR STORY OR BOOK
WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN LATER IN THE STORY
(or what did happen if you’ve already
finished reading)
A clue about a
character
A clue about the plot
(what might happen
next)
A clue about an
upcoming problem
A clue about events in
the story (plot)
Flashback
Flashback
A writer uses flashback to explain a part of the story that happened before the actual story started.
FLASHBACK
EXAMPLE:
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO THE STORY NOW
To explain something
about a character
“I know old crazy Mrs. Dennis is the one to watch out for.” Eric
leaned in closer and his voice dropped to a whisper. “Last
summer, I saw her outside in her front yard and she gave me the
most evil look I’ve ever seen in my whole life. It made me cold.
And you know what? My mom’s flowers all died and they never
grew back… and that was a year ago.”
Eric is explaining to his friends how he
“knows” Mrs. Dennis is evil and he’s trying
to prove it by using his mom’s dead flowers as
proof.
To explain something
about the setting
What you have to understand about this house is that there was a
fire here 100 years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn lived in the
house at the time. Mrs. Blackburn walked into her garden one
night with her kerosene lamp since there was no electricity, and
everything caught on fire. The house was practically destroyed
and Mrs. Blackburn was never seen again. We think her ghost
still haunts this house and these grounds.
To explain something
about the conflict
This wasn’t the first time Jason had been in trouble for not doing
his homework. He remembered last year at his old school how he
just couldn’t remember to start his homework after school and
how it always seemed like his parents and teachers loved him
when he did remember and hated him when he forgot. Couldn’t
they just love him for himself? Why couldn’t they ever forgive
him?
To explain something
about a family
Emerson’s mom forgot her birthday last year when the new baby
was born. Why would it be such a big deal for Emerson to forget
this year? Last year Emerson came home from school so excited
about the surprise present she just knew would be waiting for her
only to find her mom and the new baby asleep in the messy
house. There was no smell of cake, no birthday candles, and no
surprise. Emerson wanted to feel like part of the family again, but
that baby took up all her mom’s time. Her family would never be
the same, it seemed.
Flashback
FLASHBACK
EXAMPLE FROM YOUR STORY, BOOK, OR MOVIE WHAT IT HELPS YOU UNDERSTAND
ABOUT THE STORY
To explain something
about a character
To explain something
about the setting
To explain something
about the conflict
To explain something
about a family
Flashback
A writer uses flashback to explain a part of the story that happened before the actual story started.
Use the short story, book, or movie you know to fill out the chart below with examples of flashback.