What tense do I use when writing about literature?

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.

    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.

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References

1. Milton, John. Paradise Lost. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Vol. 1, Ninth Edition. New York, W. W. Norton & Company. 2012. p. 1945.

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