What tense should be used in a book report?

hi

Yes and no. eg you have finsihed reading the book then no it should be past if you are still reading the book it should be present

Hi,

I've heard that present tense should be used in writing a book report.

1. Could anyone let me know whether this is true?

2. If the answer to Q1 is "yes", is it wrong for me to use past tense?

It's your choice. It often depends on what you want to talk about.



We do often use a kind of 'narrative present tense' when talking about a story.

Kathy456I've heard that present tense should be used in writing a book report.

I haven't heard this, but I suppose you would say, "The title of the book is ...", not "The title of the book was ...", so you may need the present tense for certain sentences. And you would probably say, "The book was written in 1970", not "The book is written in 1970", so you ma

Hi CalifJim/Clive,

Thanks very much for your prompt advice.

By the way, I've got a couple of follow-up questions:-

1. When I want to refer to something which "had happened" in the story, should I still follow the "narrative present tense" principle, e.g.

a. I feel pity for Oliver because his best friend betrays (or betrayed) him.

b. When Oliver is (or

Hi,

By the way, I've got a couple of follow-up questions:-

1. When I want to refer to something which "had happened" in the story, should I still follow the "narrative present tense" principle, e.g.

a. I feel pity for Oliver because his best friend betrays (or betrayed) him. I'd say 'has betrayed him', ie sometime in theppast before the 'historic present'.

b

Hi Clive,

Thanks a lot for your prompt reply. It's really very very helpful to me.

Kathy

How would you still be reading a book, and at the same time write the book report////

You first finish reading the book, THEN you write the book report.

Thanks Guys

The primary style guide for discussing literature (including book reports) is the MLA Manual.

According to the MLA, present tense is used.

The idea behind this is that even though a story has present, future, and past in it, that every time someone picks up that book and begins reading anew, those 'tenses' start over.

So instead of "John ate a pizza then Mike drank a b

I'm sorry, but that is wrong! When speaking about a book, one should always talk in present tense. The only exceptions are when a character is recalling something in the past.

no,the present tense should be used, check any wikipedia article about a book or a movie, they are always in the present tense.