Lecture Notes: Understanding Recounts

What are Recounts?

• Definition: Recounts are narratives written to retell a series of past events.
• Common Examples:
  • Diaries
  • Journals
  • Articles

Grammatical Features of Recounts

• Past Tense Words: Used to indicate events that have already occurred.
• Adverbs: Modify verbs to give more context about the actions.
• Time Connectives: Connect events and help indicate the sequence (e.g., "then," "next," "later").

Structure of a Recount

1. Orientation: Sets the scene and introduces the reader to what is being recounted.
2. Events: Describes the series of events that took place.
3. Conclusion: Details the final event and wraps up the recount.

Examples of Recount Topics

• Diary: "What I did on the weekend."
• Journal: "My summer holiday."
• Article: "Last night's basketball match."

Case Study: My Summer Holiday

• Orientation:
  • Family trip described as "the trip of a lifetime."
  • Destinations included Australia, France, and the USA.
• Events:
  • Australia (Melbourne):
    • Activities: Building sandcastles, learning to surf.
  • France (Paris):
    • Visited iconic locations: Eiffel Tower, Louvre (saw the Mona Lisa).
  • USA (New York City):
    • Visited Statue of Liberty, enjoyed local cuisine (New York Slice), walked the Brooklyn Bridge.
• Conclusion:
  • End of the summer and return home.
  • Expressed as the "best summer ever."

Writing Tips

• Identify and Use Grammatical Features: Recognize past tense, adverbs, and time connectives.
• Follow the Structured Format: Use orientation, events, and conclusion to form a coherent recount.
• Engage the Reader: Make your recount interesting and relatable.

Conclusion

• Understanding and recognizing the structure and features of recounts can aid in writing them effectively.
• Practice by recounting personal experiences, ensuring to include all structural elements.

Happy writing with Ride Starler! Remember, riding is made fun.