Flashbacks in Fiction: Hemingway Project: Part Deux

Flashback: a narrative technique useful in plotting. Usually stories are written in chronological time (i.e., a story is told from the beginning to the end). A flashback, however, allows the writer to insert a scene that takes the narrative back in time from the current point (present). Flashbacks are used to:

• Provide important background or story details
• Develop details about a character (characterization)
• It helps to develop setting
• It can be used to create suspense

Let's see how it works. Let's read the first few pages of Hemingway's "The Snows of Kilimanjaro" and examine how this works or is crafted. Then, continue reading with a partner (yes, you and someone else).

Take 10-15 minutes today in class to work with a partner. Find examples of FLASHBACK in the story "The Snows of Kilimanjaro" and IDENTIFY how these flashbacks:

• Provide important background or story details
• Develop character
• Develop setting
• Create suspense

Record your names on an index card and identify the page # in which you found an example of flashback. Turn this in as credit today by the end of time in room 238.

Then, to the lab!

LAB TASK:

Please label your story draft: (You will want to show all four drafts of your work for this project)
Draft Two: Flashback

1. After you complete the basic story (see post below for details), write a second draft including the following:

NOTE: You should not ADD to your dialogue scene. That draft has sailed like a boat across the sea. Leave it alone. Find moments IN the dialogue to interrupt and expand the story!

a. Find moments in your dialogue/story for your character to refer or comment about his/her past. Select these moments and for each one, develop the inner dialogue of your protagonist.
b. This “flashback” should reveal personal opinions, reflect on the situation or comment made, and/or connect ideas and people with your character’s past. Your character’s past should be detailed with much verisimilitude.
c. You may cover years or many days or a great length of time for your flashbacks. You may also change scenery or setting.

2. Separate your flashbacks from your dialogue or first draft by italicizing them.

Complete your draft #2 today in the lab. Effectively, your story should be LONGER by at least 2-3 pages.

For assistance:

• Making Characters Come Alive
• Using flashbacks
• Punctuating sentences
• Punctuating dialogue (for the thousandth time!)

HOMEWORK: None. If you are not caught up, please do so. Next class, we will cover draft #3 of this project. If you are reading Hemingway, continue to do so.