19. Stay in the Right Tense

19. Stay in the right tense:

In summarizing action in a narrative always use the present tense. When writing about a literary text, always use the present tense.

1. “Shifting from one tense to another gives the appearance of uncertainty and irresolution.” (E.B. White The Elements of Style)

2. “In summarizing a poem, short story, or novel , a writer should always use the present tense.”

-use present tense when describing an action in a narrative or a scene in description.

Example: As Robert Frost expresses, nature’s beauty is ephemeral.

-use consistent verb tense when summarizing narration

- use present tense when referring to quotations in a poem, short story, novel, or critical essay:

Describing the horror of death in the smallest creatures, Robert Frost writes, “....” (line 8-11)