Recount Text
What is it?
The Social Function
The purpose of a recount is to retell a past event.
The Generic Structure
The Language Features
1. Use of Past Tense
A recount text is mainly written in the simple past tense because it tells events that happened in the past.
Examples:
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I visited my grandmother.
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We played football.
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She went to the market.
The past tense shows that the actions already happened.
2. Point of View
A recount text can be written from:
a. First-person point of view
The writer tells their own experience.
Example: I came to the museum.
b. Third-person point of view
The writer tells someone else’s experience as an observer.
Example: Tom visited the place.
3. Time Expressions
Recount texts use time expressions to show when the events happened.
Examples:
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yesterday
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last week
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one day
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when I was a child
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in the morning
These expressions help readers understand the time of the events.
4. Connectives (Sequence Words)
Connectives are used to show the order of events.
Examples:
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first
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next
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then
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after that
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finally
These words make the story clear and organized.
5. Action Verbs
Recount texts use action verbs to describe activities or events.
Examples:
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went
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played
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visited
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saw
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helped
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walked
These verbs show what the people did.
6. Focus on Events
A recount text focuses on what an individual or a group of people did in the past. The events are usually told in chronological order.
The Example of Recount Text
My Childhood
When I was a child, I lived in a small village near a wide river and beautiful rice fields. My days were simple, but they were full of joy and unforgettable moments. At that time, my friends and I often spent our afternoons playing outside after finishing our homework. We usually gathered near a big mango tree beside the field, and we played traditional games together. Playing outside was our favorite activity because it made us feel free and happy.
One day, when the weather was sunny and warm, I met my three best friends near the big mango tree beside the field. We decided to play hide and seek because it was our favorite game. At first, I became the seeker, and my friends ran in different directions to find good hiding places. Then, I counted loudly while covering my eyes. When I finished counting, I started looking for them one by one.
First, I saw one of my friends hiding behind a pile of dry leaves. I walked slowly and suddenly shouted his name. We all laughed loudly. After that, I found another friend hiding behind a wooden fence. However, I could not find my last friend anywhere. Because I was curious, I walked toward the river. Finally, I saw him sitting quietly behind a large rock near the water. We laughed again and continued playing.
After playing for a long time, we felt tired and hungry. Then, we sat together under the mango tree and shared the snacks that we brought from home. We talked about school, our dreams, and funny stories. Before sunset, we said goodbye and went home.
Looking back, that simple day taught me that happiness does not always come from expensive toys or modern games. It comes from togetherness, friendship, and simple moments. My childhood was not perfect, but it was meaningful and full of warm memories that I will always treasure.
The Analysis of the Text “My Childhood”
A. Generic Structure
1. Orientation
The orientation introduces the background information, including the time, place, and participants in the story.
Excerpt:
When I was a child, I lived in a small village near a wide river and beautiful rice fields. My days were simple, but they were full of joy and unforgettable moments. At that time, my friends and I often spent our afternoons playing outside after finishing our homework. We usually gathered near a big mango tree beside the field, and we played traditional games together.
Function:
This part provides general information about the writer’s childhood, where they lived, and what they usually did. It helps the reader understand the setting before the main event begins.
2. Series of Events
This section tells the events in chronological order.
Excerpt:
One day, when the weather was sunny and warm, I met my three best friends near the big mango tree beside the field…
First, I saw one of my friends hiding behind a pile of dry leaves…
After playing for a long time, we felt tired and hungry…
Function:
This part describes the specific experience of playing hide and seek. The events are presented step by step, from meeting friends, playing the game, finding them one by one, until resting and going home.
3. Reorientation
The reorientation contains the writer’s personal comment or reflection about the experience.
Excerpt:
Looking back, that simple day taught me that happiness does not always come from expensive toys or modern games…
Function:
This section gives a personal reflection and lesson learned from the experience. It closes the story in a meaningful way.
B. Language Features
1. Simple Past Tense
The text mainly uses the simple past tense to describe past events.
Examples:
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lived
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met
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decided
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became
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saw
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walked
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found
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felt
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said
2. Time Expressions
Time expressions are used to show when the events happened and to organize the sequence.
Examples:
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When I was a child
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One day
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At first
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Then
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After that
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Finally
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Before sunset
3. Action Verbs
Action verbs describe activities and events.
Examples:
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played
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ran
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counted
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shouted
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walked
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sat
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shared
4. Personal Pronouns
The text uses first-person pronouns because this recount text tells personal experiences.
Examples:
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I
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we
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my
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our
5. Linking Words / Connectors
Connectors are used to link ideas and show sequence.
Examples:
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and
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but
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because
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then
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after that
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however