A Few Literary
Devices
 Foreshadowing
Suspense
Flashback
Irony
Foreshadowing
It’s the use of details that act as “clues.”
These “clues” help us predict future events
in the story. They usually occur during
rising action and help build suspense.
Thinking about Foreshadowing
Think of some examples of foreshadowing
used in “The Hound of the Baskervilles”
video clip from UnitedStreaming.com.
Write them down in your notes and why
they are important early clues.
This is the feeling of anxiety readers
have when they anticipate what is
going to happen next. It’s like being on the
edge of your seat.
What is the purpose of suspense?
Ways to Create Suspense
• Setting – if a story takes place in a
creepy place at night, the reader will
feel anxious about what may happen
next.
• Characters – if a character acts or
appears strange, then the reader may
want to read more to figure him or
her out.
Relationship between
foreshadowing and suspense
Explain how foreshadowing might help
create suspense. Think about the music
you hear when you watch
JAWS
Make an Inference
Why do you think an author would create
foreshadowing that made the reader predict
an event . . .
and then nothing even close to
what the reader predicted happens?
Maybe to add an element of
to “throw you off”
surprise –
Flashback
Flashback is used to give the reader
important information about the past.
Flashbacks help fill in missing information
and make current information make more
sense.
Example of Flashback
Susan is being a real jerk in class Monday
morning. For no reason, she blows up at a
friend who is standing in her way at the
lockers – without warning!
It was late Saturday night . . . .
Susan’s parents have another one of their huge arguments.
They kept her up all night yelling. Sunday she wakes up and
finds out that her mom is moving out . . .
How did that flashback help you better
understand the present situation?
Irony
Three Types:
Dramatic
When audience knows information that the character does not
Situational
When what we expect to happen is not what ends up
happening
Verbal
When what is SAID is not what is MEANT
Can you guess which IRONY?
• Jeff says something really dumb in class and one
of his friends says, “Wow, you’re a genius!”
VERBAL
• It’s your typical scary movie, and the girl goes
into the kitchen. Only the audience knows that –
the killer’s in there!
DRAMATIC
• Ted is a really nerdy kid in school. You show up at your
high school reunion - and he’s a top model with a supercool girlfriend!
SITUATIONAL
It’s Summary Time
Remember:
You need to mention foreshadowing,
flashback, and irony in your summary
TheEnd