What tense do I use when writing about literature?: Difference between revisions
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When reading a piece of literature, the event is happening in present time, regardless of when the literature was created. This may seem unnatural since, as in the following examples, Milton wrote (performed this action) in the past, both in the sense of authorship and readership. Literature, however, exist in the present, and the actions of that work do as well when writing about them or referring to them. | When reading a piece of literature, the event is happening in present time, regardless of when the literature was created. This may seem unnatural since, as in the following examples, Milton wrote (performed this action) in the past, both in the sense of authorship and readership. Literature, however, exist in the present, and the actions of that work do as well when writing about them or referring to them. | ||
When writing about literature always use the present tense. | When writing about literature always use the present tense. This could include your thoughts on the literature, opinions of others or a description of fictional events in the literature. | ||
Ex. In ''Paradise Lost'' Milton creates a luxurious Garden of Eden. | Ex. In ''Paradise Lost'' Milton creates a luxurious Garden of Eden. | ||
Revision as of 03:46, 12 July 2013
When reading a piece of literature, the event is happening in present time, regardless of when the literature was created. This may seem unnatural since, as in the following examples, Milton wrote (performed this action) in the past, both in the sense of authorship and readership. Literature, however, exist in the present, and the actions of that work do as well when writing about them or referring to them.
When writing about literature always use the present tense. This could include your thoughts on the literature, opinions of others or a description of fictional events in the literature.
Ex. In Paradise Lost Milton creates a luxurious Garden of Eden.
When you are writing about an historical event such as the creation of a piece of literature, use the past tense.
Ex. Milton wrote during the 17th century.
At times you may need to use both the past and the present tense when writing about literature.
Ex. Milton's second edition of Paradise Lost was written in 1674 and is English heroic verse without rhyme.
References
Milton, John. Paradise Lost. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Vol. 1, Ninth Edition. New York, W. W. Norton & Company. 2012. p. 1945.
http://revelle.ucsd.edu/humanities/writing-info/literary-present.html. UC San Diego. "The Literary Present". Revelle College. Retrieved July, 2013.
http://www.iolani.honolulu.hi.us/Keables/KeablesGuide/PartFive/WritingaboutLiterature.htm#6. Iolani School. "Writing About Literature". The Keables Guide. Retrieved July, 2013.
http://www.hamilton.edu/writing/writing-resources/verb-tense. Brown, Zach, and Sharon Williams. "Verb Tense". Hamilton College Writing Center. Retrieved July, 2013.
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/writing/resources/Literary%20present%20tense.pdf. Vanderbilt College of Arts and Science. "How (and Why) Do I Write in Literary Present Tense?". Writing Studio. Retrieved July, 2013.
http://www.grinnell.edu/files/downloads/ver_ck.pdf. Crim, Kevin, Judy Hunter, and Mathilda Liberman. "Grinnell College Writing Lab Guide to the Use of Verb Tense in Academic Writing". Grinnell College. p. 1-3. Retrieved July, 2013.
http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/539.htm. Walden University. "Verb Tense". Online Writing Center. May, 17, 2011.
http://writing2.richmond.edu/writing/wweb/litpres.html. Dawson, Melanie, and Joe Essid. "Verbs: Past Tense? Present?". University of Richmond Writing Center. 2010.