Conventions of Composition Rule 155 Practice

1. Wrong: Holden met up with his sister and told her what was going on in his life after he left Pencey. (The Catcher in the Rye)

Better: Holden meets up with his sister and tells her what is going on in his life since he has left Pencey.

Explanation: Holden, a fictional character, exists only in the present, so all descriptions of his actions need to be in the present tense. Note that you can use the present perfect (has left) to show one action in the present preceding another action in the present.

2. Wrong: Humperdinck loved hunting more than anything else he did. (The Princess Bride)

Better: Humperdinck loves hunting more than anything else he does.

Also better: Humperdinck loves hunting more than anything else he has ever done.

Explanation: At no real time did Prince Humperdinck exist, so everything he does, he does in the fictional present tense.

3. Wrong: Elizabeth's mother and father gave her opposite ultimatums about whether or not to accept Mr. Collins' proposal; her mother didn't abide by her own threat after Elizabeth sided with her father. (Pride and Prejudice)

Better: Elizabeth's mother and father give her opposite ultimatums about whether or not to accept Mr. Collins' proposal; her mother doesn't abide by her own threat after Elizabeth sides with her father.

Explanation: Though one could argue that these fictional characters are timeless, you should write about them in the present tense only.