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?
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!