41 Foreshadowing Writing Prompts

Being able to leave readers guessing just enough to keep going is an important part of storytelling.

Adding foreshadowing to creative writing is one way to drop little hints without giving away too much to the reader until the appropriate time.

We’ve put together a list of prompts to help your writers work on and better understand foreshadowing.

Some of these prompts require that your students read a story or watch a movie before completing the assignment, but most can be done without doing so.

Using This List

Foreshadowing, and doing it well, isn’t a skill that comes easily to every writer. It takes practice and patience to hone this skill, and that’s where these prompts come in handy.

Use this writing guide in tandem with your creative writing curriculum to gauge how well your students grasp the art of foreshadowing. 

Here are a few fun ways you can work these prompts into your daily classroom routine:

  • Challenge students to use one writing prompt each day for a week.
  • Let students choose prompts that seem easy to them—they can start small and work their way toward harder prompts over time.
  • Have your students pick a number between 1 and 41 (or use a random number generator).
  • Ask your students to add their birth month and date, and use that number to choose their prompt.

The Prompts

  1. Explain an example of foreshadowing in something that you’ve read recently.
  2. How does foreshadowing contribute to a suspenseful plot?
  3. Write a story that uses symbolism to foreshadow.
  4. Write a story that subtly foreshadows the conclusion within the first two paragraphs.
  5. What genres of writing benefit the most from foreshadowing? Why?
  6. Using foreshadowing and suspense, write a short story about a time when you surprised someone.
  7. List and explain at least two examples of foreshadowing in The Wizard of Oz.
  8. Tell the story of how you met your best friend, using foreshadowing.
  9. Describe an example of foreshadowing in a movie or show you’ve recently watched.
  10. Explain at least two ways you can use foreshadowing in your writing.
  11. Write a story that uses dialogue to foreshadow.
  12. Read the story Strega Nona and explain two examples of foreshadowing in the story.
  13. Write a story that uses the setting to foreshadow.
  14. Why must foreshadowing be subtle in order to be effective?
  15. Write a suspenseful story and use the title for foreshadowing.
  16. Using foreshadowing, describe a time when you felt stressed.
  17. Compare and contrast foreshadowing and flashbacks.
  18. Write a story that uses a character’s reaction to foreshadow.
  19. List and explain at least three examples of foreshadowing in the Harry Potter series.
  20. What is the difference between direct and indirect foreshadowing?
  21. Write a story that uses a name drop as a form of foreshadowing.
  22. Write a story that uses the weather to foreshadow.
  23. Write a story that uses a random object to foreshadow.
  24. List and explain at least two examples of foreshadowing in the Percy Jackson series.
  25. Write a poem that uses foreshadowing.
  26. Using foreshadowing and suspense, write a story about a time when you were scared.
  27. Why is pacing just as important as foreshadowing?
  28. Compare and contrast foreshadowing and coincidence.
  29. List and explain at least two examples of foreshadowing in The Hunger Games series.
  30. Write a story using a character’s traits and features to foreshadow.
  31. Write a story that uses the throwaway method to foreshadow.
  32. Mike is planning a solo hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. Write his story using foreshadowing.
  33. How is foreshadowing used in Roald Dahl’s The Landlady?
  34. Write a story that uses figurative language to foreshadow.
  35. List and explain two examples of foreshadowing in a video game you’ve recently played.
  36. Compare and contrast foreshadowing and a plot twist.
  37. Write a short story that uses numbers to foreshadow.
  38. Write a short story that uses a color to foreshadow.
  39. Compare and contrast foreshadowing and a red herring.
  40. Why should foreshadowing only be used sparingly?
  41. How does Louis Sachar use foreshadowing in Holes?

Looking For More?

We have a ton of resources for parents, guardians, and teachers to help young writers improve their skills.

If you are looking for a specific resource and we don’t have it, reach out and let us know. We love to hear your creative ideas!