Literary Flashbacks

1. This is an example of a Flashback...

3. “You’ve got this!” Sara cheered, standing on the sidewalk. She watched as her dad followed closely behind her little brother’s bike. As he let go, she couldn’t help but think of when she first learned to ride a bike. She could still feel her heart racing and remember how scared she was, waiting for her dad to let go. She knew exactly how her brother was feeling.

1. What is the best definition of a flashback?

Which of the following words BEST explains a flashback is occurring?

As the old man watched the boys playing baseball in the vacant lot, he thought back to his own boyhood and the friends he’d had in his home town. They’d cleared debris and stray bushes from a lot and built their own baseball diamond, complete with an elevated pitcher’s mound. The old man remembered the feeling of standing on that mound, exchanging signals with the catcher, and winding up to throw a pitch.

How do you know a flashback is taking place in the text?

1. This is not an example of a flashback….

3. Don’t miss, don’t miss, DON’T miss,” is all I could hear in my head. Well, that, and the 10,000 fans around me. Standing at the foul line I couldn’t help but think back to the championship game last year. The feeling of missing the game winning foul shots will stay with me forever. That was motivation though for me to get better in the off- season.

1. This is an example of a Flashback....

3. “This is SO not a good idea,” Marla whispered to Ashley as they snuck down the hall. “If my brother finds out, we are going to get into so much trouble.” The floor boards creaked underneath of them and the two girls froze, too nervous to move.

What is the purpose of a Flashback?

True or False, a flashback never disrupts the flow of the story.