Final answer:
An epic begins in medias res to grab the reader's attention and uses flashbacks to provide background information.
Step-by-step explanation:
An epic poem often begins in medias res, meaning it starts in the middle of the action to grab the reader's attention. It then uses flashbacks to fill in the reader with important background information. This narrative structure helps to create tension and curiosity in the story. For example, the epic poem The Iliad starts during the 10th year of the Trojan War and then uses flashbacks to provide context and backstory.