Future Tense By:
Robert Lipsyte
Project By: Alex W., Hunter W., Teddy O., and
Matthew L. 4th Hour
Summary
 The story “Future Tense” is about a young boy
named Gary who is stressing about a writing
assignment.
 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.
 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.
 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.
 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!
 The new staff members believe that Gary’s
thoughts are absurd, so they send him to the
principal’s office. Here, the principal hints to
Gary that he himself is really an alien!
 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. Proctor’s friends in outer
space!
Focus Question
What if aliens were in your
environment?
Exposition
 Initial Characters
 Initial Settings
 Initiating Action
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.
Characters
Mr. Smith – Honors
English Teacher
Gary
Dani Belzer
Jim Baggs
Dr. Proctor - Principal
Mike Chung
Ms. Jones – Vice
Principal
Settings
 Vice Principal Office
Honors English Class
School
Principal Office
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.
 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 Gary’s head, the only reason he does is so
he can ‘save himself’ from the ‘aliens’.
Climax
 The climax is when Gary went into Dr. Proctor’s
office.
 In the office, he tells Dr. Proctor his situation about
writing his composition about aliens.
 Dr. Proctor laughed and hinted to Gary that he was
an alien. Gary, in shock, tried to escape, but Dr.
Proctor wouldn’t allow him too. The climax ends
with Gary scared out of his mind and Dr. Proctor
excited to take him to his planet.
Falling Action
 In the falling action, Dr. Proctor is telling Gary that
in space, everyone will love Gary’s 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, “
outer space.
” as he shoots up into
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.
 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)
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!