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Future Tense By: Robert Lipsyte Project By: Alex W., Hunter W., Teddy O., and Matthew L. 4 th Hour

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Summary The story Future Tense is about a young boy named Gary who is stressing about a writing assignment.

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His new teacher, Mr. Smith, looks as though he had been manufactured to fit his name. The first assignment that Gary receives from his new Honors English teacher is to describe a typical day at school.

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Along with the new teacher Mr. Smith, there is a new vice principal. Her name is Ms. Jones. Gary is getting the idea that these two new staff members are both aliens.

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Gary becomes carried away in his writing and incorporates science fiction into his story. A frustrated Mr. Smith does not like it and asks him to rewrite it three times. For some reason, Gary cannot get the story right, so Mr. Smith takes him to the vice principal, Ms. Jones.

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Both adults try to convince Gary to only write about what he knows. Because of this, Gary believes that the new staff members are aliens themselves!

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The new staff members believe that Garys thoughts are absurd, so they send him to the principals office. Here, the principal hints to Gary that he himself is really an alien!

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The story ends as Dr. Proctor, the principal, is about to take Gary to his planet. Gary is frozen in place and then shoots off to read his composition to all of Dr. Proctors friends in outer space!

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Focus Question What if aliens were in your environment?

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Exposition Initial Characters Initial Settings Initiating Action

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Initiating Action The initiating action of Future Tense is when Gary is introduced to Ms. Jones and Mr. Smith during an assembly. These people are the new Honors English teacher and the new vice principal. In this part of the story, Gary observes Mr. Smith curiously.

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Characters Mr. Smith Honors English Teacher

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Gary

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Dani Belzer

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Jim Baggs

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Dr. Proctor - Principal

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Mike Chung

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Ms. Jones Vice Principal

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Settings Vice Principal Office

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Honors English Class

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School

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Principal Office

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Rising Action The rising action is when Gary starts to believe that Mr. Smith and Ms. Jones are aliens. Gary tells them that he will never tell another soul their secret.

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Ms. Jones tries to explain to Gary that there is no such thing as aliens. Gary continues to say that he will keep their secret safe. Both new staff members believe that Gary is writing himself into a crazed state. Gary agrees to stop writing like this. In Garys head, the only reason he does is so he can save himself from the aliens.

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Climax The climax is when Gary went into Dr. Proctors office.

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In the office, he tells Dr. Proctor his situation about writing his composition about aliens.

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Dr. Proctor laughed and hinted to Gary that he was an alien. Gary, in shock, tried to escape, but Dr. Proctor wouldnt allow him too. The climax ends with Gary scared out of his mind and Dr. Proctor excited to take him to his planet.

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Falling Action In the falling action, Dr. Proctor is telling Gary that in space, everyone will love Garys composition. Gary is saying he made it all up and tries to leave, but then Dr. Proctor froze him in place. Gary continues to yell, as he shoots up into outer space.

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Science Fiction Elements The story Future Tense is science fiction because of the elements of science fiction. 1. Evidence of Advanced Technology a.This may be alien or domestic in nature. 3. Alternate Location Setting a. On another planet or in space.

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4. Aliens a.On Earth with alien visitors. b. Humans are on an alien planet. c.Humans have changed or evolved to exhibit. 5. Strange Powers a. The alien has strong, mysterious powers (can freeze people in time)

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Our Story Responses to Future Tense We give this story a . The story has you on the edge of your seat with many thoughts going through your head. Who could be the alien? Do aliens really exist? What do they want with our planet? Overall, this story makes you really think about what could possibly happen next. The best parts about this story were the rising action and the climax. The rising action told you one thing and then the climax changed the whole plot of the story, leaving you surprised and excited at the end. This is a great short story to read and we hope you learned about it during our presentation. Thanks!