what+is+a+recount?

What is a recount? Your teacher may ask you to recount a story, event or experience. Or they may ask you to write a recount of an experience or event.

A recount tells about something that happened in the past. therfore it is written in the past tense. ( eg I run - I ran, I go - I went). The detaiils in the recount can include **what** happened, **who** was involved, **where** it took place, **when** it happened and why it occured.

A writer or speaker uses a recount to tell us about a story or an event. Recounts are uusually given in the order that the event occured. Recounts can be:
 * Factual, such as a news story
 * procedural, such as telling someone how you build or make something
 * personal, such as a family holiday or your opinion on a subject


 * Examples of a recount include:**
 * biographies and autobiographies
 * newspapers or the television news
 * letters and postcards
 * textbooks
 * conversations with friends

A well- structured recount includes details of the event or topic and personal opinions. Written recounts often start with a **heading** or **title.** Letters, postcards and journal entries do not ususally have a title. Oral (spoken) recounts may have a title if you are giving a presentation. However if you are simply talking with friends you wouldn't announce the title of your conversation!
 * Structure**

The **introductory paragraph**, or **orientation**, of a written recount introduces the topic or event. This paragraph introduces who, what where, when, why and possible how. The following **body paragraphs** will recount the **sequence of events**. This is where the recount is told in chronological order (time order -what happened first, second… and finally). The **conclusion** or **re- orientation** is 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. (**note the spelling – scroll to the bottom for notes) Make a note of the order of events Use past tense (but may use immediate present tense for effect) Use time words to indicate when it happened (Firstly, after that, following, next, as soon as, then, a few moments later, finally) Use action words to tell how it happened. (Crashed, spun, sank, swam, danced…) You may also include other people’s opinions or quotes on the topic or event. If you want to use tension and drama, use short sentences. Longer sentences provide contrast and detail. Try some noun groups ( The noisy children playing…) Try reported speech (__He said__ I wouldn’t be able to swim across the river) Try direct speech. He said, ‘You won’t be able to swim across the river’)    **  __Affect __ is a __verb__ =to influence or change something.  __Effect __ is a noun =the “end result” or impression.
 * Preparing your recount **
 * Tip: **Think **a**ffect – **a** for **a**ction something is “acting” on something else. Think **e**ffect – **e** for **e**nd result.

You recount a story = tell a story He recounted his holiday adventure = he described his holiday adventure Recount the life of Jack Rocco = describe / tell about the life of Jack Rocco. Q.1 Write a recount of your early memories arriving in Australia or Q.2.Write a recount of how you met your partner/ husband/ wife?

FEATURES OF A RECOUNT: Writing in the first person ( **I** ARRIVED THERE LATE AT NIGHT.) Mainly writing in the past tense The need for an introduction Chronologically ordering events ( IN THE TIME SEQUENCE THAT THEY HAPPENED) Using connectives and other time related vocabulary. ( THEN, AFTER THAT, FOLLOWING, BY DINNER TIME...)

steps: 1. look carefully at the question what is it specifically asking for? 2. is it an event in the past & therfore will be written in past tense. 3. the task could be very large so you must decide what area you will cover eg Q1 getting off the plane/ boat & your first impressions or trying to find accomodation and food? or trying to find a house and job/ school etc or your first experiences meeting friends and going to culturally different houses and parties 4. once you have decided what sub topics you will cover you need to think about who will read your story - your audience. are you writing it only for your teacher and yourself or will you share it with others. If you are sharing it will they understand the language and cultural refernces you make? 5. once you have decided on your audience you need to think how you want to make them feel? Do you want to make them laugh, cry, have empathy or simply understand your expoereince your your view 6. planning your writing: who: who is this story about? What: what happens in the story where: where, what is the location or several locations of the story when: what time, day or year did it happen was it "A cold and wet winter night in 1972"? How: give the details of the event

read a recount of a story about the life of Jack Rocco