Literary term
Flashback
A scene that interrupts the present action to show an earlier event.
What it means
A flashback is a scene that interrupts the present flow of a narrative to show an event from the past. It gives the reader information about a character's history or an earlier moment that explains the present. It allows a writer to reveal the past gradually rather than in strict chronological order.
Flashbacks can build mystery, deepen our understanding of a character's motives, or contrast a happier past with a difficult present. Handled well, they enrich a story; handled clumsily, they can confuse the reader about when events are taking place.
Why it matters in the exam
In Literature and reading, recognising a flashback helps you follow a text that moves in time. It also helps you discuss why a writer reveals the past at a particular moment. Examiners reward you for explaining the effect, such as building sympathy or creating contrast.
In your own narrative writing, a well-signalled flashback can add depth and backstory. Make the shifts in time clear enough for the reader to follow.
Example
A woman stares at an old bicycle in a shed. The narrative might slip back to the summer she learned to ride it, explaining why she cannot sell it.
How to use it
Identify where the narrative moves into the past. Then explain why the writer places the flashback there, such as to reveal motive or contrast with the present. Note how the shift in time is signalled.
In your own writing, mark the change in time clearly through tense, spacing or a cue, so the reader always knows when events are happening.
Knowing the term is the first step. In a paid one-hour trial, a teacher helps your child use "Flashback" accurately in an answer.