ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the analysis of verb tense shifts in autobiographical memory narratives in several new directions. It examines Howard Hoffman's description of the Italian campaign, and then discusses the various functions served by present tense verbs. In order to qualify as an instance of the present tense in an autobiographical memory, he had to employ one or more present tense verbs when offering a firsthand description of an event that he experienced in World War II. The functional duality between image and narrative described in the chapter provides one potential framework for examining the systemic organization of autobiographical memory. Autobiographical memory narratives representing diverse topics contain abrupt shifts from the past tense to the present tense. Some people may intentionally use the present tense when recounting past events, in order to engage the listener or reader.
