Teaching high school students the use and effect of foreshadowing and flashback involves the use of texts that effectively employ these techniques. In “The Most Dangerous Game,” Richard Connell uses foreshadowing to give readers insight into what would take place later in the story. In this story, the hero, Rainsford, has a conversation at the beginning of the story that alludes to his being hunted later on. Using stories that have distinct elements of foreshadowing makes it easier to teach students how to recognize this device.
Beyond texts and stories, movies are effective tools to introduce students to foreshadowing and flashback effects before reading them. This gives students a frame of reference when they begin to identify them in written texts. Ask students to give you examples of movies they’ve seen where the music, dialogue or actions signaled future events. For example, the music in "Jaws" often signaled the approach of the killer shark. In addition to foreshadowing, movies are especially useful to teaching students the use of flashbacks. Students already know that movies use them as a way to cover gaps of time quickly.
Once students have been introduced to the definitions and examples of flashbacks and foreshadowing both in literature and film, they will be ready to analyze them in their readings. Create a graphic organizer that has headings for foreshadowing, flashbacks, page number, text examples and purpose. Show students how to fill out the organizer by pulling examples from the text and analyzing the purpose and effect that foreshadowing and flashbacks have on the plot.
Another way to teach high school students the use of foreshadowing and flashbacks is to have them write their own stories. Have students think of an event that happened in the past, such as a vacation, birthday party or field trip. Have students write an account of the event using at least two examples of foreshadowing and flashbacks. They can use their stories in class readings as a model. Learning by doing is the most effective way to retain information.