Foreshadowing in Writing – Definition, Tips, and Examples

By WR!TERS@WORK

Have you ever had the sinking feeling that something bad was about to happen? Having the premonition that some terrible calamity would befall you (or maybe you just had a bad day at school) is part of foreshadowing! Foreshadowing means that the language in your writing gives the reader some clues as to what is going to happen next, however, the writing at that point in time does not give it all away – it will not spell out exactly what is about to happen.

Foreshadowing is a useful story technique that WRITERS AT WORK students will come to discover and possess in their writing toolkit, sprinkling little clues so that examiners have to  guess at what will happen – keeping the reader engaged and the composition interesting.

What is Foreshadowing?

Foreshadowing is a literary device which alludes to a later point in the story. For example, if a character mentions that he “has a bad feeling about this”, the reader will know that the story will take a downturn and bad things start happening. Foreshadowing can range from obvious to subtle, and writers will use it to make their reader anticipate what comes next. Furthermore, some writers may use foreshadowing to set the reader up for a plot twist. They will not give away the entire plot, but they will use this literary tool to create emotional buildup.

How You Should NOT Use Foreshadowing

1. Foreshadowing is Not a Spoiler

Foreshadowing is supposed to create suspense and not stamp it out. Foreshadowing should not state the obvious – it should only hint at what will happen in future. The spoiler will let the reader know what has happened – the reader will have no surprises to look forward to.

2. Foreshadowing is Not a Flash-Forward

A flash-forward is meant to project readers towards a future situation in the story. The foreshadowing also deals with the future, but it does not describe exactly what is happening. Flash-forwards have as much detail as a spoiler, but will bring in new details.

3. Foreshadowing is Not a Red Herring

red herring is a hint which has been purposefully placed to mislead the reader. Red herrings are often seen in mystery novels, like when you think someone else is the culprit but they aren’t.

Types of Foreshadowing

1. Direct Foreshadowing

Direct foreshadowing is explicit about what it is, such as in an introduction, a prelude, or even the title of the story. When writers want to directly allude to something, they could be clear or use cliched phrases like “Little did I know” or “The last thing I remembered was…”

2. Indirect Foreshadowing

Indirect foreshadowing is a subtle hint about what is to come in the future. Sometimes, indirect foreshadowing is so concealed that the reader will not notice it until after the later event.

Rules for Writing Foreshadowing

1. Make sure the foreshadowing is relevant

The hint should be relevant to the plot. The literary principle “Chekhov’s gun” states that every element introduced in a story must have relevant use. There is no point calling attention to things in your writing that you will not use later. If there is a detail that you put the reader’s mind to, you will use that detail later on in the story, so the reader understands the reference. Foreshadowing is used to generate an effect – do not misdirect your reader’s attention.

2. Don’t Be Too Overt

The reader should pick up on the hint – the foreshadowing should not hit them in the face like a truck. There is a fine balance to strike between making a hint obvious and making it too obvious. Foreshadowing is used to engage the reader through anticipation and curiosity. If you make the hint too obvious, the reader will have nothing to be curious about anymore.

3. Think About the Timing

The writer should create ample space between the time the foreshadowing was hinted at and the big reveal. The longer curiosity will build up, the higher the anticipation, and the more satisfying the reveal. The reader should allow the Plot Curve to reach its climax before the reader knows how the foreshadowing written earlier on was relevant to the storyline.

Using foreshadowing as a story technique in your English composition shows the examiner that you possess forethought and are good at manipulating story structure to create a desired effect in your writing. Guided by our team of passionate teachers and educators, WRITERS AT WORK students will experience these techniques so that their writing can become more complex and nuanced in no time!

Master the English Language with WRITERS AT WORK!

English is a compulsory subject which all students must undertake. However, mastering the English language is not something which happens overnight – it takes consistent practice and effort to learn the nuances of the language. Students must read more and practice writing to gradually improve. Cramming for a language subject nearer to the exams is an impossible feat. After all, Rome was not built in a day! Attaining such a skill will have positive implications for not only your child’s education in school, but also employment prospects in future.

At WRITERS@WORK, we are committed to providing the smoothest learning experience for your child sitting for their English exams. With our carefully curated methods of teaching your child how to write well, your child will learn how to present their thoughts and arguments in a coherent and concise manner. W@W reinforces your child’s language skills and provides a strong foundation for their academic success, keeping up with all aspects of their progress both inside and outside of the classroom to nurture them holistically. For more information about how W@W makes a difference, feel free to explore our website and watch our YouTube videos!

If you are interested in our primary English tuition and secondary English tuition in Singapore, WRITERS@WORK has expanded to 9 convenient locations. To find the nearest location that suits your needs, please explore our options. If you have any inquiries regarding our range of programs or class schedules, please feel free to contact WRITERS@WORK!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

1. What is Creative Writing in Primary School?

In primary school, creative writing starts from using pictures to develop a coherent storyline. Students will learn how to use key phrases to build tension and develop a satisfying conclusion. The plots of the stories crafted at the primary school level are usually simple and have a central conflict which is usually resolved at the end of the story. Students will need to use good grammar and appropriate vocabulary to describe the things they see in the pictures when writing.

2. What is an Enrichment Class in English?

An enrichment class allows your child to not only learn the basics of the mechanics of English such as good grammar and sentence structure, but it also teaches your child to appreciate the nuances of the English language. Students in an English enrichment class will learn skills like inference and critical reading – these skills are highly important even when students graduate out of school and go into higher education or the working world, as it will teach them to process and filter information to determine what is being said and evaluate the veracity of the information.

3. What Does a Writing Specialist Teach?

A writing specialist teaches your child how to formulate sentences in a logical manner. Writing has various contexts, and if the assignment is a narrative essay, there are certain requirements such as a well thought-out plot, fleshed-out characters, and a good denouement. There are other types of essays a student will learn in his lifetime, such as an argumentative essay, expository essay, and descriptive writing, which all require different skill sets learned during class.

4. How Does My Child Benefit From Writing Classes?

Writing classes build systematic thinking and logic in children. Crafting a story plot is the same as thinking, step by step, what events chronologically happen in the context of a given scenario. Students will be able to express their ideas and thought processes in a coherent and concise manner, which will help them in their other subjects as they will be able to formulate sentences to better understand the material. English proficiency is a highly transferable skill.