1. Future Tense By: Robert Lipsyte
Project By: Alex W., Hunter W., Teddy O., and Matthew L. 4th Hour

2. Summary
The story “Future Tense” is about a young boy named Gary who is stressing about a writing assignment.

3. His new teacher, Mr. Smith, looks as though he had been manufactured to fit his name. The first assignment that Gary receives from his new Honors English teacher is to describe a typical day at school.

4. Along with the new teacher Mr. Smith, there is a new vice principal
Along with the new teacher Mr. Smith, there is a new vice principal. Her name is Ms. Jones. Gary is getting the idea that these two new staff members are both aliens.

5. Gary becomes carried away in his writing and incorporates science fiction into his story. A frustrated Mr. Smith does not like it and asks him to rewrite it three times. For some reason, Gary cannot get the story right, so Mr. Smith takes him to the vice principal, Ms. Jones.

6. Both adults try to convince Gary to only write about what he knows
Both adults try to convince Gary to only write about what he knows. Because of this, Gary believes that the new staff members are aliens themselves!

7. The new staff members believe that Gary’s thoughts are absurd, so they send him to the principal’s office. Here, the principal hints to Gary that he himself is really an alien!

8. The story ends as Dr. Proctor, the principal, is about to take Gary to his planet. Gary is frozen in place and then shoots off to read his composition to all of Dr. Proctor’s friends in outer space!

9. Focus Question
What if aliens were in your environment?

10. Exposition
Initial Characters
Initial Settings
Initiating Action

11. Initiating Action
The initiating action of “Future Tense” is when Gary is introduced to Ms. Jones and Mr. Smith during an assembly. These people are the new Honors English teacher and the new vice principal. In this part of the story, Gary observes Mr. Smith curiously.

12. Mr. Smith – Honors English Teacher
Characters
Mr. Smith – Honors English Teacher

13. Gary

14. Dani Belzer

15. Jim Baggs

16. Dr. Proctor - Principal

17. Mike Chung

18. Ms. Jones – Vice Principal

19. Settings
Vice Principal Office

20. Honors English Class

21. School

22. Principal Office

23. Rising Action
The rising action is when Gary starts to believe that Mr. Smith and Ms. Jones are aliens. Gary tells them that he will never tell another soul their secret.

24. Ms. Jones tries to explain to Gary that there is no such thing as aliens. Gary continues to say that he will keep their secret safe. Both new staff members believe that Gary is writing himself into a crazed state. Gary agrees to stop writing like this. In Gary’s head, the only reason he does is so he can ‘save himself’ from the ‘aliens’.

25. Climax
The climax is when Gary went into Dr. Proctor’s office.

26. In the office, he tells Dr
In the office, he tells Dr. Proctor his situation about writing his composition about aliens.

27. Dr. Proctor laughed and hinted to Gary that he was an alien
Dr. Proctor laughed and hinted to Gary that he was an alien. Gary, in shock, tried to escape, but Dr. Proctor wouldn’t allow him too. The climax ends with Gary scared out of his mind and Dr. Proctor excited to take him to his planet.

28. Falling Action
In the falling action, Dr. Proctor is telling Gary that in space, everyone will love Gary’s composition. Gary is saying he made it all up and tries to leave, but then Dr. Proctor froze him in place. Gary continues to yell, “ ” as he shoots up into outer space.

29. Science Fiction Elements
The story “Future Tense” is science fiction because of the elements of science fiction.
1. Evidence of Advanced Technology
This may be alien or domestic in nature.
3. Alternate Location Setting
a. On another planet or in space.

30. 4. Aliens
On Earth with alien visitors.
Humans are on an alien planet.
Humans have changed or evolved to exhibit.
5. Strange Powers
a. The alien has strong, mysterious powers (can freeze people in time)

31. Our Story Responses to “Future Tense”
We give this story a ‘ ’. The story has you on the edge of your seat with many thoughts going through your head. Who could be the alien? Do aliens really exist? What do they want with our planet? Overall, this story makes you really think about what could possibly happen next. The best parts about this story were the rising action and the climax. The rising action told you one thing and then the climax changed the whole plot of the story, leaving you surprised and excited at the end. This is a great short story to read and we hope you learned about it during our presentation. Thanks!