The Historic Present: Telling Stories in English
The Historic Present: Telling Stories
Items in this lesson
The Historic Present: Telling Stories
What do you already know about using the present tense to talk about past events?
Lesson Objective
At the end of the lesson you will understand and use the historic present tense to talk about past events in stories.
What is the Historic Present?
The historic present uses 'present' verbs to talk about the past, making stories more exciting and vivid.
Look! A Simple Example
"Yesterday, I go to the park. I meet my friend." (using present verbs for a past story)
Why Use the Historic Present?
It makes the story feel alive and exciting. Listeners imagine the events happening now!
Present Simple for Past
We use present simple verbs like go, see, and say, but the action really happened in the past.
Grammar Reminder
Present simple: I walk, You eat, We play. (use these forms to retell past stories)
Animated Story
Let's watch a short animated picture story using the historic present tense.
Slide heading
Slide text
Story Example: The Lost Cat
"I wake up. I hear a noise. I look outside. I see a cat."
Historic Present vs. Past Simple
"I open the door. The cat runs in."
Historic Present
"I opened the door. The cat ran in."
Past Simple
Notice the Difference
The historic present makes the story feel like it’s happening now. The past simple tells that it happened before.
Activity: Listen and Repeat
Listen to a sentence in the historic present. Repeat after your teacher.
Mini-Story Example
Start your story with "Today..." or "Yesterday..." and use the historic present: "I walk to the shop. I see a dog."
Practice in Pairs
Work in pairs. One student tells a short story using the historic present. The other listens.
Animated Picture Match
Match sentences in the historic present to the correct animated picture.
Group Activity: Create a Story
In small groups, make a short story using the historic present. Present to the class.
Useful Words for Stories
go, see, hear, find, run
Action Verbs
Story Starters
Today, Yesterday, This morning
Let's Share Our Stories!
Lesson Review
Today, you learned what the historic present is, how to use it in stories, and practised with pictures and activities.
Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.
