The historic present tense is characterized by the use of the present tense to describe past events as if they were happening in the present moment. It is also known as the dramatic present, narrative present, and the historical present. Other synonyms for this literary device include the present historic, the fictional present, and the vivid present. The term "real-time narrative" is also used to describe this technique, as it gives the reader the impression that they are witnessing events as they unfold. While it can be a useful tool in storytelling, writers should be cautious when using the historic present, as it can become confusing and disrupt the flow of the narrative if not used effectively.