Recounts Purpose The purpose of a recount is to list and describe past experiences by retelling events in the order in which

they happened (chronological order). Recounts are written to retell events with the purpose of either informing or entertaining their audience (or both). Types of recount

Personal recount These usually retell an event that the writer was personally involved in. Factual recount Recording an incident, eg. a science experiment, police report. Imaginative recount Writing an imaginary role and giving details of events, eg. A day in the life of a pirate; How I invented...

Features of recounts

focuses on individual participants/events

Structure

the recount has a title, which usually summarises the text specific participants (Mum, the crab) The basic recount consists of three parts: 1. the setting or orientation - background information answering who? when? where? why? 2. events are identified and described in chronological order. 3. concluding comments express a personal opinion regarding the events described

details are selected to help the reader reconstruct the activity or incident (Factual Recount) the ending may describe the outcome of the activity, eg. in a science activity (Factual Recount) details of time, place and incident need to be clearly stated, eg. At 11.15 pm, between Reid Rd and Havelock St a man drove at 140 kms toward the shopping centre (Factual Recount) descriptive details may also be required to provide information, eg. He was a skinny boy with a blue shirt, red sneakers and long tied back hair (Factual Recount)

includes personal thoughts/reactions (Imaginative Recount)

Language

is written in the past tense (she yelled, it nipped, she walked) frequent use is made of words which link events in time, such as next, later, when, then, after, before, first, at the same time, as soon as she left, late on Friday) recounts describe events, so plenty of use is made of verbs (action words), and of adverbs (which describe or add more detail to verbs) details are often chosen to add interest or humour to the recount. use of personal pronouns (I, we) (Personal Recount) the passive voice may be used, eg. the bottle was filled with ink (Factual Recount)

example A Trip to the Zoo Yesterday my family went to the zoo to see the elephant. When we got to the zoo, we went to the shop to buy some food to give to the animals. After getting the food we went to the nocturnal house where we saw birds and reptiles which only come out at night. Before lunch we went for a ride on the elephant. It was a thrill to ride it. Dad nearly fell off when he let go of the rope. During lunch we fed some birds in the park. In the afternoon we saw the animals being fed. When we returned home we were tired but happy because we had so much fun. Reports "Reports can be straightforward recounts of events, but many of them are more than this. They may contain accounts and descriptions, but they often do more than describe a thing, event or situation. Some reports state a problem and suggest a solution. Some argue a case for or against a particular option, supporting their case with evidence and making a recommendation." (The Learner as a Reader, Learning Media NZ:P 129)

Purpose The purpose of a report is to describe and classify information. Reports have a logical sequence of facts that are stated without any personal involvement from the writer. Informative reports are written about living things like plants and animals and non-living things like cars or oceans. An information report is used when we talk and write about, eg. Bikes. (When writing a description we only talk/write about one specific thing, eg. My Bike). Features Structure Reports usually consist of the following:

an opening statement. (The Antarctic is a large continent at the South Pole; Possums are nocturnal animals that were introduced to New Zealand from Australia.) a series of facts about various aspects of the subject eg where possums live, what they eat, problems they cause, etc. These facts are grouped into paragraphs and each paragraph has a topic sentence. diagrams, photographs, illustrations and maps may be used to enhance the text reports don't usually have an "ending", although sometimes the detailed information is rounded off by some general statement about the topic.

Language Nouns and noun phrases are used rather than personal pronouns. The use of personal pronouns is limited. Most reports are written in the present tense.

Some reports use technical or scientific terms. Linking verbs are used, eg. is, are, has, have, belong to, to give coherence. Uses some action verbs (climb, eat). Descriptive language is used that is factual rather than imaginative eg colour, shape, size, body parts, habits, behaviours, functions, uses.

example Thanksgiving Day Thanksgiving or Thanksgiving Day is a celebration of harvest, thankfulness for peace, and the attempt of Native Americans. It is usually celebrated in late autumn.

In the past, Thanksgiving was celebrated for their rich harvest in New England. In North America, however, it was originally held to thank God for their survival in the new land which was not easy for them. However, in Canada, it had been celebrated as in New England. Thanksgiving now is celebrated in United States of America and in Canada. Thanksgiving festivals are held every fourth Thursday of November in the U.S and on the second Monday of October in Canada. It is usually celebrated in four to five days in the North America and for three days in Canada.

It is celebrated through families and friends gathering to eat and give good luck. Turkey is the main dish in the thanksgiving dinner. Thanksgiving parades are also usually held. In Thanksgiving homes are decorated with wreaths, fresh and dried flowers. Lamps are lighted to brighten the environment. Tables are decorated with best china and antique silver dishes to mark the occasion.