when writing an essay about a nonfiction book what tense should i use
The book placed me in the setting of ...
The setting of the book is
The setting of the book was
The setting of the book should have ..
So what tense do you want to use? Use the tense that give power to your essay, and its purpose. There is no rule for the right tense.
Bob's right. One thing is consistency, however. Do not jump from tense to tense without a specific reason to do so.
I always have trouble reading essays or stories where the person starts in present, switches to past, throws in a few futures, and is overall disorganized.
When writing an essay about a nonfiction book, it is generally recommended to use the present tense. However, there may be some instances where you might need to use the past tense.
Here's how you can determine which tense to use:
1. Present tense: When discussing the main ideas, themes, or arguments of the book, you should use the present tense. This helps to create a sense of immediacy and makes the information feel current and relevant. For example:
- "The author argues that..."
- "In this chapter, the book explores..."
2. Past tense: When providing historical or biographical information, summarizing the author's life or discussing events that occurred in the book, you should use the past tense. This helps to establish a sense of past events. For example:
- "The book was written in the early 20th century."
- "The author conducted extensive research for this book."
Remember, it's important to maintain consistency throughout your essay. Stick to one tense unless there is a logical reason to switch. Also, consider following the citation style guide recommended by your instructor or institution, as it may provide specific guidelines on tense usage.
In summary, use the present tense for discussing ideas and arguments, and the past tense for historical or biographical information.