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Sometimes, some writers get confused about what tense to use in narrating a new story. They ponder if they should use the present tense or past tense in terms of verbs and the action of the story.

It's proper to use either past tense or present tense in writing a story. I use either of them in narrating a story but I prefer using the present tense in the summary part of my reviews. I make sure I stay consistent with a particular tense because it's atrocious to use both present tense and past tense at the same time.

What do you have to tell us about this topic?

It depends on the story you tell whether to use a past or present tense, there are certain rules in using those tenses.

Yahnieh wrote: ↑11 Dec 2017, 08:29 It depends on the story you tell whether to use a past or present tense, there are certain rules in using those tenses.

I agree, there are rules that should be followed when writing a story, or anything for that matter.

Insightsintobooks729 wrote: ↑15 Dec 2017, 12:08

Yahnieh wrote: ↑11 Dec 2017, 08:29 It depends on the story you tell whether to use a past or present tense, there are certain rules in using those tenses.

I agree, there are rules that should be followed when writing a story, or anything for that matter.

Good to know but it'll be quite helpful if someone tells us about these rules.

As long as you are consistent within the review, whichever you do should be fine.

CatInTheHat wrote: ↑16 Dec 2017, 09:21 As long as you are consistent within the review, whichever you do should be fine.

Thanks CatinTheHat. It's permitted to use either of them. Its just being consistent with the particular tense you choose.

Consistency is needed in both upon reviewing a story and the tenses you used. They should match with each other, the tense you use is the main factor to have a good story or retelling the story.

Yahnieh wrote: ↑16 Dec 2017, 18:58 Consistency is needed in both upon reviewing a story and the tenses you used. They should match with each other, the tense you use is the main factor to have a good story or retelling the story.

"the tense you use is the main factor to have a good story or retelling the story"

I don't agree with that. Maybe you should do some research about this topic. The tense you use virtually has nothing to do with the content of your story. It's only a grammatical issue. Past tense has been used for ages to narrate stories and using present tense is a new trend but either is correct. Any tense can still make your story readable.

It depends on what the writer is writing about.

Writers are free to use either of these tenses in narrating a story. Use the tense you're comfortable with; the one you can flow easily with.

I use both while writing my reviews but thanks for the heads up.

It depends on the way that you as reviewer organize your own thoughts in relation to the book.

I think this depends on you, the reviewer. I have written using both tenses and they have been accepted. What matters is the consistency you put. Ensure you use just one through out

I have this problem too it's very difficult to know what tense to use whether past or present when writing a review.which is the correct format any advice..

Thank you for your tips. This is my problem when I wrote my review for the first time. I admit I'm very inconsistent with the tenses.
I mean, I prefer to write my reading experience in past tense, but I'm more comfortable writing the book summary in present tense.
Maybe I will just follow the tense that is used in the book?