Question about essay tenses?

Question

I'm currently writing an analytical essay on the Joy Luck club, but I have a question about essay tense.

Do you write an essay in past tense or present tense?

an example sentence:

"Timmy was able to work where ever he desired."

or is it

"Timmy is able to work where ever he desires."

I'm kind of confused on this. Any help? Thanks.

Answer 1

Generally you write a literary analysis in the present tense but use the past where it's clearly called for (in particular, in quotations).

Answer 2

if your writing a history about somthing then it is past tense

if it is a story taking place in the present or about someone you write in present

please help me thanks

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Answer 3

It's quite simple to decide ..... if you're analysing something you are looking at it  and scrutinising it from the outside.... therefore you will not have a 'personal' element in the way you speak about it:' Timmy was able to work wherever he desired....''vis personal, it implies a knowing of Timmy......  Rather an anlysation would be as a statement of fact 'Timmy is able to work wherever he desires....'

:)