Writing Recounts
A recount retells something that already happened. Learn how to write one step by step!
📝 What is a Recount?
A recount is a piece of writing that retells something that has already happened. It tells the reader who was there, where it happened, when it happened, and what happened — in order.
You might write a recount about...
- 🎉 A birthday party you went to
- 🏈 A sports day at school
- 🏴 A holiday trip with your family
- 🥇 Something special that happened in class
🏗 Structure of a Recount
A good recount has three main parts:
Orientation (Introduction)
Set the scene — tell the reader who, where, and when. Example: "Last Saturday, I went to the beach with my family."
Events (Body)
Retell the events in the order they happened. Use time connectives like first, then, next, after that, finally.
Conclusion (Ending)
Finish by saying how you felt or what you thought about the event. Example: "It was the best day ever!"
🕐 Time Connectives
Use these words to connect events in order:
Worked Examples
Sample Recount: "My Trip to the Zoo"
Orientation
On Monday, my class went on an excursion to Taronga Zoo in Sydney. We were all very excited!
Events
First, we saw the giraffes eating leaves from the tall trees. Then, we fed the lorikeets. Next, we watched the seal show and cheered loudly. After that, we had lunch near the kangaroo enclosure. Finally, we rode the sky safari cable car back to the gate.
Conclusion
It was a wonderful day. My favourite part was feeding the colourful lorikeets. I hope we can go again next year!
Notice:
- ✓ All verbs are in past tense (went, saw, fed, watched)
- ✓ Time connectives link each event (first, then, next, after that, finally)
- ✓ The recount is told in order
Key Vocabulary
Recount
A type of writing that retells something that already happened in the order it occurred.
Past Tense
Verb form used to show something already happened. Example: walk becomes walked.
Time Connective
A word or phrase that connects events in order: first, then, next, finally.
Orientation
The introduction of a recount that tells who, where, and when the event happened.
Knowledge Check
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Key Concepts Summary
- ●A recount retells real events that already happened, in order.
- ●It has three parts: Orientation (who/where/when), Events (what happened), and Conclusion (how you felt).
- ●Use past tense verbs — walked, saw, ate, played.
- ●Use time connectives — first, then, next, after that, finally — to connect events in order.