Foreshadowing in Narratives

Foreshadowing in Narratives Foreshadowing (for-SHA-doe-ing) is the presentation of details, characters, or incidents in a narrative in such a way that later events are prepared for (or shadowed forth). Foreshadowing, says Paula LaRocque, can be a highly effective means of preparing the reader for what is to come. This storytelling device can create interest, build suspense, and provoke curiosity (​The Book on Writing, 2003). In nonfiction, says author William Noble, foreshadowing works well, so long as we stay with the facts and not impute motivation or circumstance that never happened (The Portable Writers Conference, 2007). Examples and Observations In the opening of The Wizard of Oz, set in Kansas, the transformation of Miss Gulch into a witch on a broomstick foreshadows her reappearance as Dorothys enemy in Oz.The witches in the opening scene of Shakespeares Macbeth foreshadow the evil events that will follow.[In My Journey to Lhasa, Alexandra] David-Neel . . . creates suspense with present tense, we look as if we are starting for a mere tour of a week or two, and foreshadowing, these spoons became, later on, the occasion of a short drama in which I nearly killed a man.(Lynda G. Adamson,  Thematic Guide to Popular Nonfiction. Greenwood, 2006) Foreshadowing as a Form of "Backwriting" Foreshadowing can be, in fact, a form of back writing. The writer goes back through the copy and adds foreshadowing to prepare the reader for later events... This does not mean that you are going to give away the ending. Think of foreshadowing as setup. The best foreshadowing is subtle and is woven into the storyoften in multiple ways. In this fashion, foreshadowing helps build tension and gives resonance and power to the story. (Lynn Franklin, Literary Theft: Taking Techniques From the Classics. The Journalists Craft: A Guide to Writing Better Stories, ed. by Dennis Jackson and John Sweeney. Allworth, 2002) Foreshadowing in Nonfiction With nonfiction, foreshadowing works well, so long as we stay with the facts and not impute motivation or circumstance that never happened. . . . No he should have thought... or she might have expected... unless we back it up factually.(William Noble, Writing NonfictionUsing Fiction. The Portable Writers Conference, ed. by Stephen Blake Mettee. Quill Driver Books, 2007) [Alexandra] David-Neels seven chapters [in My Journey to Lhasa: The Classic Story of the Only Western Woman Who Succeeded in Entering the Forbidden City] describe harrowing travel to Thibet* and Lhasa. She creates suspense with present tense, we look as if we are starting for a mere tour of a week or two, and foreshadowing, these spoons became, later on, the occasion of a short drama in which I nearly killed a man.(Lynda G. Adamson, Thematic Guide to Popular Nonfiction. Greenwood Press, 2006) * variant spelling of Tibet Chekhov's Gun In dramatic literature, [foreshadowing] inherits the name Chekhovs Gun. In a letter, he penned in 1889, Russian playwright Anton Chekhov wrote: One must not put a loaded rifle on the stage if no one is thinking of firing it. Foreshadowing can work not only in narrative forms but also in persuasive writing. A good column or essay has a point, often revealed at the end. Which details can you place early to foreshadow your conclusion? (Roy Peter Clark, Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer. Little, Brown, 2006)