The title grabs the reader’s attention (it usually summarises the text).
There are specific participants (mum, the crab).
A setting or orientation gives background information answering
who? when? where? why?
Events are identified and described in chronological order.
The details of time, place and incident are clearly stated. (At 11.15
pm, between Reid Rd and Havelock St a man drove at 140 kms toward the shopping
centre).
Personal thoughts/reactions are included.
Paragraphing is used.
Concluding comments may express a personal opinion regarding the events described.
The ending may describe the outcome of the activity (in e.g. a science
activity).
Language
Recounts are written in the past
tense (she yelled, it nipped, she walked).
Words which link events in time (next, later, when, then, after, before, first, at the same time,
as soon as she left, late on Friday) are used.
