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 …….)


More information
More ideas and examples of recounts can be found in
•Targeting text (series), Blake Education, Glebe N.S.W.
• Anderson, M 1997, Text types in English, Macmillan, 1998.
• English Elements (series), Jacaranda Wiley, Milton, Qld.
• Whitfield, M 2001, Targeting writing across the curriculum, Blake Education, Glebe, N.S.W.
• Schill, J 1998, On track: working with texts, Heinemann, Port Melbourne.
• Excel essential skills (series), Pascal, Glebe, N.S.W.
• Understanding text types (poster series), R.I.C., Balcatta, W.A.

Interactive example (Jenny Eather)

Printable version