Literary terms · AP English Literature, AP English Language, SAT Reading and Writing, ACT Reading
Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing: Hints or clues in a narrative that suggest what will happen later.
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What it means
Foreshadowing builds anticipation and gives a story coherence. It can be subtle, such as an image or offhand remark, or obvious, such as a warning. On rereading, foreshadowing often shows how carefully a work's ending was prepared.
In a passage-based essay, foreshadowing can be evidence of tension even if you do not know the outcome.
Example
Early in a story, a character jokes that the old bridge 'won't last another winter.' Later, the bridge's collapse becomes the story's turning point.
On the exam
In the literary argument essay, early scenes that foreshadow the ending are strong evidence for a whole-work interpretation.