Author's Choice Practice
using flashback and foreshadowing
Flashbacks
- Flashbacks are interruptions that writers do to insert past events in order to provide background or context to the current events of a narrative.
- Authors use words like "He remembered when … " or "She thought about that time last year when …"
- A flashback gives readers a deeper understanding of a character's personality.
- Flashbacks can give you information about a character to help you figure out his or her motives, or reasons, for doing things.
Foreshadowing
- FORESHADOWING gives readers clues about what might happen later in a story.
- Authors use foreshadowing to build suspense, tempt readers to predict what might happen, and persuade them to read on to find out if they were right.
- Even as a little kid, no one had to tell you that when Mrs. Rabbit told Peter, "Don't go into Mr. McGregor's garden," he'd go – and get into trouble! The author's words foreshadowed danger.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit
Having fun in the garden.
Dangerous!
Read Aesop's Fable Retold - Read the selection, and then answer the questions that follow.
(1)One fine summer day, Grasshopper was hopping about in the field. As he chirped and danced, he spied Ant carrying a big kernel of corn to his nest. Grasshopper watched as Ant came back, lifted another kernel, then carried it to the nest as well. This happened repeatedly. Finally, Grasshopper asked, "Ant, why do you work so hard on such a lovely day?"
(2)"Soon it will be winter," replied Ant. "I'm gathering food for my family. I suggest you do the same!"
(3)"Why bother about winter?" asked Grasshopper. "There's plenty of food in the fields now!"
(4) Ant remembered last winter and how deep snow had covered everything. There had been no way to get out of his anthill, let alone try to find food! Now, an even worse winter was predicted. "You'll feel differently when the big snow comes!" said Ant, as he shook his head and walked away.
(5) When winter came, Grasshopper had no food. The fields were covered with deep snow. Grasshopper was very hungry and sad, knowing that Ant had food enough because he had worked hard to prepare in advance.
Questions
1. What is the flashback that the author uses in this story?
2. What was the author’s purpose in using the flashback with this specific character?
3. What is foreshadowed in this story? Give the specific text where the author uses foreshadowing.