Literary Present Tense **Writing in ONLY the present tense as if the story is happening NOW! -used to summarize the plot or subject matter of a work of literature - referring to a writer’s relationship to his/her work

Why use literary present tense?  In every poem, or novel the action is happening now—it’s timeless  Never write in past tense when you discuss the work of literature in your own writing.

Examples Incorrect Example: In “The Raven,” Edgar Allan Poe wrote about a talking bird. This bird spoke to the main character and repeated the word “nevermore.” Correct Example: In “The Raven,” Edgar Allan Poe writes about a talking bird. This bird speaks to the main character and repeats the word “nevermore.”

Literary Present Tense and Voice In order to create a strong, formal voice in your writing you must use an active voice in addition to using literary present tense.  Passive Voice – the subject is not doing the action in a sentence (being spoken about)  Active Voice – the subject is doing the action in a sentence

Passive and Active Voices Passive Voice – the subject is not doing the action in a sentence The tornado was photographed by a student. Shingles were torn from the roof by the high winds. Active Voice – the subject is doing the action in a sentence A student photographs the tornado. The high winds tear shingles from the roof. **In your thesis statements try not to use any form of the verb “to be”.

Now, try it… rewrite the following sentences, changing the passive voice to active voice and present tense. 1. Due to severe storms the film festival at the community center was canceled by officials. 2. My sisters and I were told the news by our parents, who had planned an all-day party. 3. An alternative plan for a “Davis Family Film Festival” was made by my parents. 4. Old videos from the time we were kids were pulled out of storage by Dad. 5. Movies such as Aladdin and The Lion King were enjoyed by everyone, and popcorn was eaten by us in mass quantities. Remember - have the subject performing the actions!!

Possible Answers: 1. Officials cancel the film festival at the community center due to severe storms. 2. Our parents tell me and my sister that our all day party plan is canceled. 3. My parents make an alternative plan for a “Davis Family Film Festival”. 4. Dad pulls old movies from the time we were kids from storage. 5. Everyone enjoys watching movies such as Aladdin and The Lion King as we eat mass quantities of popcorn.

More practice… Elements of Language - pg Review Examples on page Exercise 5 - all Remember - we are not only using active voice but present tense to strengthen our writing!

Friday Passive and Active Voices Rewrite the following sentences using the active voice – remember - have the subject performing the actions. 1. Trees were being blown over by the wind. 2. The cave was explored by the science class. 3. The Gettysburg Address was written by Abraham Lincoln. Writing Review Activity – materials on the desks.