Recount (Type of text)

The recount Text

Social function, Definition, Generic structures, Language features and examples.

Social function of the recount text:
to retell events for the purpose of informing or entertaining

Definition of the recount text:
 Recount text is a text which retells events or experiences in the past. Its purpose is either to inform or to entertain the readers. There is no complications among the participants and that differentiates from narrative text. A recount text has an orientation, a series of events in chronological order, personal remarks on the events, and a reorientation that “rounds off” the sequence of events.

 Generic Structures of the recount text:

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 of the recount text:

• 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

When writing the recount text you should:

1. Focus on individual people i.e. use the words, I or we, my group, my family etc.
2. Use words which indicate when (e.g. after lunch) and where the events took place (e.g. in the shed) 
3. Write in the past tense e.g. had, visited 
4. Use action words e.g. went, helped