Writing RecountsRevision

What is a recount?

A recount retells a past event.

Examples of recount topics

Write about an extraordinarily exciting day.

Write about a memorable experience with a best friend.

Recount an incident that you will never forget.

How To Write A Good Recount

1. Retell the events in time order.

2. Leave out the boring details.

3. Include interesting details that matter!

4. End off with a meaningful

afterthought.

Style

Past tense (what else?)

Divide the recount into 4-5 paragraphs, with each paragraph focusing on a “mini event”.

Use time connectors e.g. then, after, before, an hour later, a while ago etc

Boring example

I woke up at 10 a.m. and brushed my teeth. The sun was shining and it looked like a great day. My mother made scrambled eggs for breakfast and I ate it all up. I then made my way to the school and reached the school on time. Finally, it was time for the most important exam of my life. Fortunately, the paper was very easy and I knew I was going to score an A1.

Good example

The invigilator announced, “The time is 2.30 p.m. You may begin.” Finally, it was time for the most important exam of my life. I gulped down some saliva and nervously flipped open the ominous-looking paper that had been placed in front of me. Immediately my fear left me as I saw the questions on the first page. I had studied those topics very well, and I knew, even before I started writing anything, that I was going to score an A1.