Authors often use several literary techniques to indicate a change in time, setting, or a progression in the plot of a story. Some common methods include:
-
Chapter Breaks: New chapters can signal a significant shift in time or place.
-
Paragraph Breaks or Spacing: A blank line or increased spacing can indicate a time jump or change in perspective.
-
Transition Phrases: Phrases like "The following day," "Months later," or "Meanwhile, in another part of the world" can clearly indicate a shift.
-
Scene Changes: Descriptive cues, such as changes in the environment, weather, or season, can highlight a shift in time or place.
-
Dialogue: Characters’ conversations may reference past events or future plans, helping to indicate time progression.
-
Flashbacks or Flash-forwards: These narrative devices explicitly take readers to a different time within the story.
-
Time Markers: Specific dates, times, or historical contexts can ground changes in time and setting.
-
Changes in Tone or Style: A shift in the narrative style or tone may signal a different time period or emotional state.
-
Character Development or Changes: The evolution of characters can indicate the passage of time, often shown through changes in their relationships, behaviors, or attitudes.
These techniques help readers understand the flow of the narrative and keep track of the story's progression.