What is a flashback in storytelling?

A flashback in storytelling is a narrative technique that interrupts the chronological flow of a story to provide additional background information or context. It allows the reader to gain insights into a character's past experiences, motivations, or significant events that have shaped the current situation in the narrative. This technique enhances the depth of the story by providing a deeper understanding of characters and their actions, enriching the reader's experience.

For instance, a flashback might reveal a pivotal moment from a character's childhood that influences their behavior in the present. This strengthens the connection between the past and present elements of the narrative, making the story more compelling.

Other options do not accurately represent the concept of a flashback: depicting the future describes a different storytelling technique; summarizing a story is more about narrative conciseness; while introducing new characters usually does not involve interrupting the chronological flow.