Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing is the use of hints or clues in a narrative to suggest future actions. Foreshadowing is present in the novel Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Mini parts of the story like, Melinda's school grades are clues to the future events/actions. Melinda's different marking period school grades can be found on page 46 (First marking Period), page 92 (Second Marking Period), and page 137 (Third Marking Period). On these pages, you can tell that her grades are getting lower and lower each marking period. This action shows that Melinda is distracted by something, or something is bothering her. Melinda also mentions in the story that she is an outcast because she ended up sitting alone on the bus on the first day of school, and her old friends are not friends with her anymore. That is a huge hint to the main situation (Future action). That can be found on pages 3 and 4. Another huge clue that can be used as foreshadowing is when she mentioned about a party over the summer break. That information can be found on page 27. Melinda and her parent's do not communicate with each other, and they are not family oriented. Melinda's mother prepares dinner in the morning and sticks them in the fridge, but that's not always the case, sometimes, Melinda orders pizza for dinner on her own. That hint led to the thought that Melinda's mother would end up not cooking the Thanksgiving dinner. This can be found on pages 57-61.



Discussion Questions:

1. What are some actions of Foreshadowing?
2. What was the main, future action that the clues/hints led you to?
3. What are a few of the hints/clues that helped build up to the main situation?
4. What are some different statement(s) that you found that is an example of Foreshadowing?


Elizabeth