Unleash Your Imagination: Conquer the 2026 Creative Writing Practice Exam!

A flashback is a narrative technique that interrupts the chronological flow of a story to present events or experiences that occurred in the past. This technique allows writers to provide important background information that enriches the reader's understanding of the current situation or characters. By revealing past events, the author can deepen the reader's insight into a character's motivations, experiences, or relationships, creating a more complex and engaging narrative.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately define a flashback. For example, a chapter that reviews previous chapters might summarize events but does not necessarily use the narrative interruption characteristic of flashbacks. Similarly, a straightforward recounting of past events lacks the contextual interruption that defines a flashback. Lastly, a transition that shifts focus to another character does not entail revisiting past events but rather changes the narrative perspective, which is distinct from the concept of a flashback.