RECOUNT

Definition

Recount is a text which retells events or experiences in the past. Its purpose is either to inform or to entertain the audience. There is no complication among the participants and that differentiates from narrative

Generic Structure

1. Orientation: Introducing the participants, place and time

2. Events: Describing series of event that happened in the past

3. Reorientation: It is optional. Stating personal comment of the writer to the story

Language Features

• Introducing personal participant; I, my group, etc

• Using chronological connection; then, first, etc

• Using linking verb; was, were, saw, heard, etc

• Using action verb; look, go, change, etc

• Using simple past tense; went, looked, changed, etc.

Examples of Recount text:

Example 1:

                           

                                                   Our trip to the Blue Mountain

Orientation
On Friday we went to the Blue Mountains. We stayed at David and Della’s house. It has a big garden with lots of colourful flowers and a tennis court.

Event  1 On Saturday we saw the Three Sisters and went on the scenic railway. It was scary. Then, Mummy and I went shopping with Della. We went to some antique shops and I tried on some old hats.
Event  2 On Sunday we went on the Scenic Skyway and it rocked. We saw cockatoos having a shower.

Reorientation: In the afternoon we went home.

  

 Example 2:

                                            A Visit to a Sheep Property

Orientation

Last holidays I visited a sheep property. I helped in the shearing sheds and in the yards.

Event 1 : On the first day the Merino wethers were crutched. I helped by sweeping up after the rouse about picked up the wool pieces. Shearers start early (at 7.30 am)

Event 2 : After lunch, we started shearing the lambs. There were more than 400 so we didn’t finish until the next day. Once again I was sweeping and picking up dags.

Event 3 : I was tired by the end of the day in the shed but our work wasn’t finished. We all had to help to get

the weathers and lambs back into the paddocks. As well, we had to get a mob of ewes and their lambs into the yards for shearing the next day. Then it was time for tea (that’s what my nanna calls dinner).

Reorientation

This was a very long day but I enjoyed it a lot.