Writing Fiction In The Present Tense

Author: David Bowman

Most fiction authors write in the past tense. They tell readers what happened. This is as if the author says, "I see the events in my mind, and I’m writing about what I saw." Very few fictional books are written in the present tense.

One reason for this is that writing in the present tense provides serious challenges to the author: maintaining perspective, introducing prior events, and filtering the stream of consciousness.

Below, we discuss these challenges and provide an example of present-tense writing done well.

1. Maintaining Perspective:
Well-written scenes have only one perspective. As readers, our focus is on one character, and the scene is described through that character’s experiences. Usually, the focus will be on the protagonist. We perceive the scene through that character. However, that scene can be described again from another character’s experience. This is possible because the scene is written in the past tense. We already know that it has happened.

When writing in the present tense, the events have an immediacy that makes this difficult. We read about what is happening at the moment, not about what already happened. This limits the author’s ability to show events from multiple perspectives because when the perspective shifts, the events already occurred. As such, when the perspective changes, the author continues to show what is now happening but through a different perspective. The author keeps the readers in the "now." This can be a powerful tool for keeping the reader engaged in the story, but it is difficult to accomplish.

2. Introducing Prior Events:
Events do happen prior to the current experience, and describing them in a present-tense story requires a shift to the past tense. However, the author may need to include those events to help the reader understand the present experience or to provide the motivation for a character’s actions and thoughts. This is difficult to accomplish. The author must make these time shifts smoothly, without losing the present-tense perspective and without making the reader wonder when the event is taking place. The author has to separate present and past tense without damaging the readers’ engagement in the present tense events.

3. Filtering the Stream of Consciousness:
The human brain is always thinking, which means that the character on whom we are focused is having many thoughts. Some may be repetitions, some may be revisions of prior thoughts, and some may be off topic completely. Some will be new and relevant to the experience the character is having.

The challenge to the author is identifying the thoughts that are relevant and necessary to the story without creating gaps in the character’s consciousness. Shifting between a description of thoughts to description of physical activities and environment will help, but as with introducing prior events, this can be difficult. While we are reading the character’s thoughts and feelings in the present tense, other actions and events are occurring. Thus, when the author "leaves the character’s mind" and returns to the "real world," he cannot go back to describe what has happened in the meantime. So the second part of this challenge is to ensure that the reader doesn’t miss critical events.

An Example of Present Tense Fiction:
Robert Silverberg, winner of multiple Nebula and Hugo awards, uses the present tense very effectively in Starborne. This is the story of 50 people traveling across the universe through "nospace" to find a new planetary home. Obviously, it is science fiction.

Here’s a quip from the book that addresses the second and third challenges:

"The year-captain wonders whether everyone aboard, one by one, is about to undergo some maddening transformation for the worse. Already Noelle is losing the ability to communicate with her sister on Earth; the blunt and straightforward Sieglinde has unsettlingly chosen to challenge the reliability of the theorems that she herself helped to write; and now the easygoing and irreverent Heinz is tiresomely eager to explain the year-captain’s own responsibilities to him. What next? What next, he wonders."

Science fiction may not be your preferred genre, but this novel is worth reading if you intend to write in the present tense and are unsure about how to do it well. Find it in a bookstore, sit in a chair, and read the first couple chapters, at least. Study how Silverberg resolves the three challenges noted above.

We have a variety of editorial services for authors that will help you prepare your manuscript, but reading and studying Starborne will give you a good start.

About the Author:

David Bowman is the Owner and Chief Editor of Precise Edit, a comprehensive editing, proofreading, and document analysis service for authors, students, and businesses. Precise Edit also offers a variety of other services, such as translation, transcription, and website development.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/writing-articles/writing-fiction-in-the-present-tense-788122.html

Pros and Cons of School Uniforms

Author: Isaac Grauke

We have worked with schools across the United States, and
believe us, you are not the only person asking this question!
The answers that we have heard from our customers are as varied
as our customers are. The debate over school uniforms is
complicated, so we've included highlights from both sides for
you to consider:

Professional:

Some say that a child in a school uniform is more likely to take
school seriously. Putting on the school uniform signals he or
she is going to school just like dad dresses up to go to work.
Schools report that when students dress in "work clothes" rather
than "play clothes" they take a more serious approach to their
studies.

Promotes Good Discipline:

Many think that school uniforms help maintain school discipline,
decreasing the amount of discipline problems. The argument is
that children today are lacking in self-discipline because
parents refuse to discipline them. This makes it more difficult
on the teacher who has to deal with classes of 25-30 students at
a time.

Reduces Fighting and Violence:

Schools report that school uniforms decrease fighting and
violence that arrise out of arguments over fashionable clothes.
Children invariably tease those who do not have trendy clothes.
Those who can't afford name brand clothes are often sensitive
about their clothing. Schools struggling with gang problems
report that school uniforms help ease tensions.

Distractions:

Many parents believe that students wearing school uniforms look
nicer and that a school uniform policy ensures that children
will come to school in appropriate clothing, avoiding
distractions such as fads considered to be outlandish or overly
revealing. Some students have turned school into an unending
fashion show. This disctracts from learning, as some kids spend
more time focused on thier clothes than on homework.

Values:

School uniforms stress that individuality and self-expression
are not determined by designer clothing or the latest fashion
fad.

Low Cost:

School uniforms are a bargain. They are becoming far less
expensive than many other clothes. Schools argue that school
uniforms are economical, especially compared to designer
clothing, and parents agree given school uniform durability.
They say school uniforms last longer because they are made for
repeated wash and wear. Many schools capitalize on this by
starting used school uniform stores or swap meets. Parents can
get used school uniforms at discount prices, or just use them as
hand-me-downs between siblings.

School Spirit:

Some feel wearing a school uniform helps build school spirit. It
instills a feeling of belonging. As the Beach Boys said, "Be
true to your school." Schools report an increase in school pride.

Individuality:

Supressing individuality is the most commonly cited objection to
school uniforms. Educators argue that an academic program
encouraging students to pursue individual thought is much more
important than what they wear. They inhibit creativity and
self-expression, forcing students to conform.

Causes Discipline Problems:

Some students reject any rules. Forcing them to wear school
uniforms only aggravates their rebelious spirit. They alter
their school uniform by tightening, widening, shortening, or
lengthening them, and teachers are given the impossible task of
policing the students on a daily basis.

Little or No Relationship to Academics:

Opponents insist that their is no credible evidence that school
uniforms improve school discipline or promote higher academic
acheivement. The principal argument is that some great students
are terrible dressers. Dress does not necessarily improve
learning.

About the Author:
Isaac Grauke is manager of sales and marketing for Hall Closet
Uniforms and Apparel, http://www.hallclosetuniforms.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/pros-and-cons-of-school-uniforms-182.html

Online Education: Major Challenges Faced by Online Students

Author: Jitendra Sethi

With the rise in popularity of e-learning come some unique challenges not extant with more traditional classrooms. Students need to be aware of the differences between online and traditional classes and be prepared to make the necessary adjustments. Significant challenges faced by online students include the following:

- Technical problems. Computer hardware and peripheral devices such as printers, modems and routers are not indestructible; as with any other man-made device, they can break down or malfunction at the most inopportune time. In addition to equipment failure, an older computer may be incompatible with some software required for the course. For more details visit to www.guardadsense.com .Viruses, Trojans, spy ware and other malaria could infect a computer, causing it to run poorly or not at all. A slow internet connection might cause problems logging into class, retrieving and submitting assignments, and posting to threaded discussions. Any of these problems could cause a great deal of frustration for the student trying to complete course assignments. Therefore, it is important for the student to have access to a backup computer to use in case of equipment malfunction.

- Staying motivated. Going to school always requires a certain level of motivation from a student regardless of whether it’s a "bricks-and-mortar" institution or online class. In a traditional classroom setting, a student has live, face-to-face interaction with the instructor and fellow students -- a camaraderie that may help boost enthusiasm and motivation for the course. In an internet-based class however, there is no live contact with instructor and classmates -- the student works alone in a virtual environment. This lack of live contact may lead to a feeling of isolation, and make it difficult for a student without a high internal commitment or personal drive to stay motivated during the course.

- Self-discipline. As with motivation, a student needs good self-discipline to succeed online. The freedom and flexibility of e-learning is what's so attractive to many people. There's no obligation to login to class at any particular time or place -- you can go to class and do your assignments whenever it's convenient for you. However, this same freedom can lead to procrastination, and cause the unwary or undisciplined student to fall behind in his assignments. Once behind, it can be difficult to catch up.

- It's difficult to improve oral communication skills. There are many classes such as speech, drama, debate, teacher education and so forth that require the student to make oral presentations in front of a group of people .To know more logon to www.instant-adsense-dollars.com .With online courses this is not practical, as the classroom is virtual, and the students are not all gathered together at one time in one room. A student wishing to improve oral communication skills may need to take these classes in a traditional classroom course.

- Classes with lab or hands-on requirements may not be available online. If a lab course cannot be simulated or practically offered online, a student will need to take the course at a local college campus or other location with the necessary facilities for completing the course work.

Students considering taking online courses need to be aware of these and other challenges, and be prepared to meet them in order to be successful online. If any challenge seems insurmountable, the student should reconsider the online option and perhaps take a traditional ground-based course instead.

About the Author:

www.greateducationonline.com




www.forum-marketing-videos.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/online-business-articles/online-education-major-challenges-faced-by-online-students-762613.html

Some Interesting Acupuncture Schools Faqs

Author: Malc Moore
In today\'s world, children are often asked what they\'d like to be when they grow up. The career possibilities available to young and old people alike are vast, and there are many different areas of opportunity that wouldn\'t even have been considered fifty years ago. Gone are the days where children followed in their parents\' footsteps, taking over the family business. Now, individuals can be anything they\'d like to be.

Acupuncture is a growing technique and its practice can definitely be added to the career choices of youths today. So when thinking about a career a young person may want to choose to go to one of the acupuncture schools to learn to be an acupuncturist, alternatively they may choose a healing school to learn alternative medicine.

In the last few years, there has been a great increase in the interest in complimentary medicine, and learning how to practice it by enrolling in healing schools or acupuncture schools. For some people, like sports trainers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, chiropractors, and even nurses, getting training at one of the acupuncture schools is a way to supplement the regular health regime.

Social workers and mental health professionals are also looking into the psychological aspect of using acupuncture on certain patients. It is believed that acupuncture can relieve many of the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks, and even depression. They will teach you at most acupuncture schools that acupuncture is a great means of connecting the mind and body together to find a balance. It is this balance that makes it so appealing to many individuals across the globe.

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AOM) is a billion dollar industry. It is expected to double in size within the next twenty years, as more and more people turn to acupuncture to deal with health and mental issues in a different, more naturalistic way. When more people begin to request a certain service like acupuncture, this leads to an increased need for more practitioners. In the United States, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) requires that a acupuncturist be licensed and trained, so training at one of the good acupuncture schools would be a wise decision for sure.

This training is actually quite extensive and can take many years, definitely not as easy as running down to the local city hall and picking up a piece of paper. It is this training that teaches the student how to identify the patient\'s problem, suggest a treatment plan, and then begin the process of treating the issue.

When choosing one of the acupuncture schools to learn to become a licensed and trained acupuncturist, it is important to check on a few things. The first is the length of the course, and the amount of information covered. The second is if there is practical field work, essential to learning the actual hands-on material of acupuncture. The third is to check if it is one of accredited acupuncture schools. There is not much use in going to school for a long time only to find out that the school is not accredited. Acupuncture as a career might not be for everyone, but it is definitely a consideration with today\'s booming health field careers. Check it out and you might find it surprisingly interesting.About the Author:

For lots more about acupuncture schools and about becoming an acupuncturist check out our web site www.ecoholistic.com .

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/wellness-articles/some-interesting-acupuncture-schools-faqs-759688.html

Some Interesting Acupuncture Schools Faqs

Author: Malc Moore
In today\'s world, children are often asked what they\'d like to be when they grow up. The career possibilities available to young and old people alike are vast, and there are many different areas of opportunity that wouldn\'t even have been considered fifty years ago. Gone are the days where children followed in their parents\' footsteps, taking over the family business. Now, individuals can be anything they\'d like to be.

Acupuncture is a growing technique and its practice can definitely be added to the career choices of youths today. So when thinking about a career a young person may want to choose to go to one of the acupuncture schools to learn to be an acupuncturist, alternatively they may choose a healing school to learn alternative medicine.

In the last few years, there has been a great increase in the interest in complimentary medicine, and learning how to practice it by enrolling in healing schools or acupuncture schools. For some people, like sports trainers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, chiropractors, and even nurses, getting training at one of the acupuncture schools is a way to supplement the regular health regime.

Social workers and mental health professionals are also looking into the psychological aspect of using acupuncture on certain patients. It is believed that acupuncture can relieve many of the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks, and even depression. They will teach you at most acupuncture schools that acupuncture is a great means of connecting the mind and body together to find a balance. It is this balance that makes it so appealing to many individuals across the globe.

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AOM) is a billion dollar industry. It is expected to double in size within the next twenty years, as more and more people turn to acupuncture to deal with health and mental issues in a different, more naturalistic way. When more people begin to request a certain service like acupuncture, this leads to an increased need for more practitioners. In the United States, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) requires that a acupuncturist be licensed and trained, so training at one of the good acupuncture schools would be a wise decision for sure.

This training is actually quite extensive and can take many years, definitely not as easy as running down to the local city hall and picking up a piece of paper. It is this training that teaches the student how to identify the patient\'s problem, suggest a treatment plan, and then begin the process of treating the issue.

When choosing one of the acupuncture schools to learn to become a licensed and trained acupuncturist, it is important to check on a few things. The first is the length of the course, and the amount of information covered. The second is if there is practical field work, essential to learning the actual hands-on material of acupuncture. The third is to check if it is one of accredited acupuncture schools. There is not much use in going to school for a long time only to find out that the school is not accredited. Acupuncture as a career might not be for everyone, but it is definitely a consideration with today\'s booming health field careers. Check it out and you might find it surprisingly interesting.About the Author:

For lots more about acupuncture schools and about becoming an acupuncturist check out our web site www.ecoholistic.com .

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/wellness-articles/some-interesting-acupuncture-schools-faqs-759688.html