Teddybears

Recounts

A framework for looking at students' understanding of the text and language features of recounts. 

PURPOSE

Is the writer's intention to tell the reader what happened?

TEXT FEATURES

·	Does the writing begin with an orientation, (who, when, where)?
·	Are the events sequenced in chronological order?
·	Are there personal comments on the events (the kite flying day was fantastic)?

LANGUAGE FEATURES

·	Are the participants referred to specifically, (Mary, the teacher, the boys)?
·	Is it written in the simple past tense?
·	Are linking items to do with time used to give coherence (after lunch, at the same time, as soon as she left)?
·	Is irrelevant information omitted?

PERSONAL RECOUNTS

These usually retell an event that the writer was personally involved in. 

·	Does the writer use personal pronouns, (I, we)?
·	Are personal responses included?
·	Are details chosen to add interest?

FACTUAL RECOUNT

These usually record particulars about a specific event. 

·	Does the writer use third person pronouns (he, she, it, and they)?
·	Are details selected to help the readers reconstruct the activity accurately?

© Ministry of Education, Wellington, New Zealand (First published 1998)