What verb tense is better to use in the SOP

[ringo-ring]

“when you describe somebody’s actions in terms of what they’re ‘doing,’ that action is way more vivid in [a reader's] mind.” Subsequently, when action is imagined vividly, greater intention is associated with it.

...

Those who read that the defendant “was firing gun shots” believed a more harmful intent of the defendant than those who read that he “fired gun shots”.

from here

[enginerd]

That is fascinating, though I have absolutely no idea which would be better. I think I will keep this tidbit of information stored away for future reference. Very interesting, thanks!

[canberra]

Very, very interesting! Thanks.

Also read that rather than saying something like, "he was scared", we should describe fear, eg "His heart began beating rapidly and his hair tingled" or suchlike.