WHAT?
tells about something that
happened in the past.
WHAT CAN IT BE?
f
actual, such as a news story
p
rocedural, such as telling someone how you built
something
p
ersonal, such as a family holiday or your opinion on a
subject.
b
iographies and autobiographies
n
ewspapers or the television news
l
etters and postcards
t
extbooks
c
onversations with friends
WHAT IS IT LIKE?
The details in a recount can include:
what happened,
who was involved,
where it took place,
when it happened and
why it occurred
WHAT FOR?
to tell us about a
story or an event.
HOW?
usually given in the order
that the event occurred
STRUCTURE
A well-structured recount includes details of the event or topic
and personal opinions.
Written recounts often start with a heading or title. Letters and
journal entries do not usually have a title. Oral recounts might
have a title if you are giving a presentation. If you are just talking
with friends a title is not usually needed.
GENERIC STRUCTURE
The introductory paragraph, or
orientation
The sequence of events.
The conclusion, or re-orientation
The introductory paragraph, or orientation
introduces the topic or event
(who, what, where, when, why
and possibly how).
the sequence of events. (THE BODY OF THE TEXT)
where the recount is told in
chronological order (the order
that the events happened).
The conclusion, or re-orientation
where the writer or speaker can give personal
opinions about the topic or event. The writer or
speaker may also comment on how this event or
topic may affect other things in the future.
You may also include other
people's opinions or quotes on
the topic or event.
LANGUAGE FEATURES
Written in the past tense because
they tell about something that has
already happened.
Use action verbs.
The factual information in a recount must be
accurate.
Recounts can also include the speaker's or
writer's personal thoughts on the event or
topic.