What Is Foreshadowing?

The Definition of Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing is a literary device that hints or suggests future events, adding suspense to a story. In literature, there are two main types of foreshadowing: direct foreshadowing and indirect foreshadowing.

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What Is Direct Foreshadowing?

Direct foreshadowing, also known as overt foreshadowing, is when a writer makes it more obvious that something significant will happen in the story. For example, Edgar Allan Poe used direct foreshadowing in the title of his short story, The Fall of the House of Usher. In this short story, the house eventually splits into two and sinks into a lake.

What Is Indirect Foreshadowing?

Indirect foreshadowing, also known as covert foreshadowing, is when an author leaves subtle hints that something will occur. This type of foreshadowing creates a light-bulb moment for readers. An example of indirect foreshadowing can be seen in Ernest Hemingway’s novel A Farewell to Arms. At the beginning of the novel, Hemingway wrote, “The leaves fell early that year.” This sentence indirectly foreshadows the character Catherine Barkley’s early death.

What Isn’t Considered Foreshadowing?

Foreshadowing is often confused with techniques like flashforward and red herrings, which serve different narrative purposes. In a flashforward, the reader gets a peek at something that will happen in the future. For example, if a high schooler in a story has a vision where they suddenly see themselves in the future as a 40-year-old, that would be considered a flash forward, not foreshadowing.

Another technique that is not considered foreshadowing is known as a red herring. This literary device is frequently seen in mysteries. A red herring is when an author intentionally distracts and misleads the reader. An example of a red herring can be seen in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. In the book, the reader is led to believe that Sirius Black is trying to kill Harry Potter when it turns out that he’s actually trying to protect Potter from another bad guy.

How to Use Foreshadowing in Your Writing

Mastering the art of foreshadowing can help you craft an exciting and enjoyable story. Use these tips to use foreshadowing effectively in your writing:

• Determine the plot. In order to use foreshadowing in your writing, you need to know what will happen in the story.
• Drop subtle hints. The best foreshadowing is inconspicuous. You don’t want the hints that you leave to be obvious. Foreshadowing that’s too obvious won’t stimulate the reader’s curiosity.
• Know when to drop hints. Foreshadowing is the most effective when it’s placed well in advance, not right before the event occurs. Giving enough space between your hints and the actual event can build anticipation.
• Don’t go overboard. Foreshadowing should create anticipation. Too many hints about what is to come in your story can ruin the surprise and make the reader feel bored with your story. Remember that not every event in your story needs foreshadowing, and it should be used in moderation.

If you’re not sure that you’re using foreshadowing effectively, enlist a friend to read your story. They can give you helpful feedback about your story and let you know if the foreshadowing is too obvious or excessive.

When used correctly, foreshadowing can add an exciting touch to your stories. If you’re interested in trying out foreshadowing for yourself but aren’t sure where to start, see how you can come up with book ideas.