LC-1090 - - V01, 03.08.2021-10.09.2021
This course space end date is set to 10.09.2021 Search Courses: LC-1090
5. Tense shifting quiz
When writing your academic essay you will need to shift between tenses. Compare the effect of using a different tense in these four sentences:
EXAMPLES
- In this essay I will examine Husserl's ideas on time and consciousness.
- In his 1905 lectures, Husserl discusses time and consciousness.
- In his 1905 lectures, Husserl discussed time and consciousness.
- In this essay I have discussed Husserl's ideas of time consciousness.
The first sentence is a thesis statement and uses the future tense to give an overview of what the essay topic is about before getting down to business.
The second sentence focuses more on the ideas expressed in Husserl's lectures.
The use of the present tense tells us that the writer is interested in Husserl's ideas (i.e. the permanent results of Husserl's actions and not the actions themselves) The present tense also reinforces the connection between the ideas in the lecture and their relevance to the present narrative.
The third sentence in the past tense, tells us about the lectures as historical events and what Husserl did (i.e. his actions not their results) in his life (biographical).
In the final sentence, the writer uses the present perfect tense to summarise and demonstrate s/he is discussing recently mentioned topics (i.e. a time shift to the recent past).
TASK: Choose the correct tense answers and drop them into the sentence spaces where you
think they belong.
Grading method: Highest grade