Recount Generic structure+language feature

Recount
(Story genre)
A recount retells past events in the order in which they happened

Structure
• Orientation: sets the scene
• Sequence of events in the order in which they happened
• (optional) a final personal comment or reflection


Language features
• Opening words capture reader’s interest
• May use the first person
• Most often in the past tense, but may be in the immediate present for effect
• Vary sentences length: simple, compound or complex
• Short sentences increase tension; longer sentences provide contrast and detail
• Time words connect events (e.g. As soon as….; Eventually…; Then…; A few moments later…)
• Noun groups describe people and places (e.g. the noisy children playing in the park)
• May include reported or direct speech (He said …….)
The Recount Genre

Purpose
The purpose of a recount is to list and describe past experiences by retelling events in the order in which they happened (chronological order).

Structure
The basic structure of a recount consists of three parts:

1. The setting or orientation - background information answering who, when, where and why?
2. Events are identified and described in chronological order.
3. Concluding comments express a personal opinion regarding the events described.

Language Features and Conventions
The recount has a title, which summarises the text. Past tense verbs are used, and frequent use is made of words which link events in time, such as next, later, when, then, after, before, first. Recounts describe events, so plenty of use is made of verbs (action words), and of adverbs (which describe or add more detail to verbs).

Short Example

MY DAY AT THE BEACH

Last week my friend and I were bored after three weeks of holidays, so we rode our bikes to Smith Beach, which is only five kilometres from where I live.

When we arrived at the beach, we were surprised to see there was hardly anyone there.

After having a quick dip in the ocean, which was really cold, we realised one reason there were not many people there. It was also quite windy.

After we bought ourselves some hot chips at the takeaway store nearby, we rode our bikes down the beach for a while, on the hard, damp part of the sand. We had the wind behind us and, before we knew it, we were many miles down the beach.

Before we made the long trip back we decided to paddle our feet in the water for a while, and then sit down for a rest. While we were sitting on the beach, just chatting, it suddenly dawned on us both that all the way back we would be riding into the strong wind.

When we finally made it back home, we were both totally exhausted! But we learned some good lessons that day!