Admission Test for Dental Hygiene (ATDH) Practice

What device is used when an author hints at what is to come later through dialogue or actions?

1. Imagery

2. Foreshadowing

3. Euphemism

4. Flashback

The correct answer is: Foreshadowing

The device used when an author hints at what is to come later through dialogue or actions is foreshadowing. This literary technique allows writers to create anticipation in the audience by dropping subtle clues or signs that suggest future events or outcomes. For instance, if a character mentions feeling anxious about an upcoming event or if something menacing is hinted at through a character's actions, these elements serve to prepare the reader for developments that will unfold later in the narrative. Foreshadowing can effectively build suspense and engage the reader’s curiosity, making it a powerful tool for authors to shape the overall narrative and emotional journey of the story. It differs significantly from other devices; imagery involves descriptive language that evokes sensory experiences, euphemism is a softened expression used instead of a more direct one, and flashback refers to a scene set in a time earlier than the main story, providing background or context. These techniques serve different purposes and do not fulfill the role of hinting at future events in the same way that foreshadowing does.