Which term describes the use of hints that suggest future events in a story?

The term that describes the use of hints suggesting future events in a story is foreshadowing. This literary device allows authors to give readers subtle clues about what might happen later in the narrative, creating anticipation and building suspense. By incorporating these hints, foreshadowing enhances the reader's engagement and can lead to a deeper emotional response when the hinted events eventually unfold. This technique serves to prepare the audience for future developments and can often make plot twists more impactful when they occur.

In contrast, flashback refers to a scene that takes the narrative back in time to provide context or background information, while exposition involves the introduction of background information necessary for understanding the story. The climax is the turning point of the plot, marking the moment of greatest tension or conflict. These elements, while important to storytelling, do not involve hinting at future events in the same way that foreshadowing does.