Final answer:
In narrative storytelling, flash forward is a transition from the current time to a future event, a tool that allows authors to create intricate and non-linear plots. Contrasting with flashbacks, this device helps to foreshadow future events and develop the themes of the story through non-chronological elements.
Step-by-step explanation:
When flash forward is used in a narrative, it is a transition from the current time to a future event. It serves as an effective narrative technique allowing authors to tell stories in a non-linear fashion. For instance, in literature or film, flash forwards can provide insights into the storyline or characters by projecting towards a future occurrence, shedding light on the plot's potential direction. Flash forwards contrast with flashbacks, which are a device where the narrative goes back in time, delving into past events that have shaped the current situation. A well-known example of a flashback can be found in An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce, where the main character's life leading up to his current predicament is revealed.
Storytellers use the element of chronos in plot construction to develop themes through the sequence of events. Transitions between the past, present, and future in a narrative are critical in maintaining coherence and aiding the reader's understanding. Authors might employ specific strategies, such as time-stamps, symbolic imagery, or changes in tone and setting, to signal the shift in time and to maintain clarity in their narrative. In flash forwards, these techniques help in guiding the reader through the anticipated events without causing confusion.