How to Write a Recount Text

A. What is a Recount Text?

A recount text is a type of text that retells past events or experiences, such as a visit to a place of interest. Recount texts are typically written in the past tense, including forms like the Simple Past, Past Continuous, and sometimes the Past Perfect.

B. What is the Structure of a Recount Text?

Recount texts commonly consist of the following structure:

1. Orientation:
   A recount text begins by introducing the reader to the main details of the story—who was involved, what happened, where, and when it occurred. This section is called the orientation.
2. Sequence of events:
   The events are described in chronological order, typically following the order in which they happened.
3. Reorientation:
   Recount texts may end with a reorientation, which summarizes or reflects on the event(s).

C. How to Write a Recount Text?

When you write a recount text, pay attention to the tips and checklist below:

• Focus on individual people. Use personal pronouns like "I" or "we."
• Include time expressions. Indicate when the events occurred (e.g., after, before, yesterday, last week).
• Include place descriptions. Specify where the events took place (e.g., at my uncle's farm, in the park)
• Use the past tense. Write using verbs like "went," "visited," or "took."
• Use action verbs. Describe activities with words like "made," "walked," or "bought."

D. Example Recount Text

Read the following example of recount text, and pay attention to its structure.

Title	A Rainy Day Out
Orientation	We were enjoying dinner together when Uncle Hadi suddenly arrived. During the meal, he shared an exciting idea. “Let’s take a day trip tomorrow!” he suggested. “I’ve heard Mount Bromo is a wonderful spot to visit. Why don’t we go there and have a picnic?”
Sequence of events	Everyone loved the idea, so we immediately started preparing. Early the next morning, we packed a large basket full of delicious food and left the house around 8:30 a.m. The drive was pleasant at first. The scenery was exceptionally breathtaking, with green hills and winding mountain roads. However, things took a turn when it started raining halfway through the journey. The slippery roads made driving challenging, and my father had to be extra cautious. As a result, it took us nearly two hours to reach our destination. When we finally arrived, we hoped to take a stroll and enjoy the fresh mountain air, but the rain showed no sign of stopping. Unfortunately, we hadn’t brought any umbrellas, so we ended up staying near a gazebo close to a restaurant. Despite the rain, we made the best of the situation by having our picnic under the shelter.
Reorientation	By three o’clock, the rain was still pouring, and we had no choice but to head back home. Everyone felt a little disappointed — except for Uncle Hadi. He kept the mood light, smiling and cracking jokes throughout the day. Thanks to him, the trip was still memorable, even if things didn’t go as planned.

E. Exercise

A Memorable Beach Trip

Last weekend, my family and I decided to spend a day at the beach, a two-hour ride from our town. We left the house early in the morning, bringing along some snacks and drinks that my mother had prepared the night before. My father ensured everything was ready for the trip by checking the car.

We reached the beach at around 9 o’clock. The sky was clear, and the waves gently rolled onto the shore. My younger brother was thrilled and couldn’t wait to jump into the water. While he played near the shoreline, my father and I set up a small tent to provide shade.

The day was filled with fun activities. I joined my brother for a swim and later played volleyball with him on the sand. My mother preferred to relax under the tent, reading her favorite novel and occasionally taking photos of us. By noon, we all gathered under the shade to enjoy the snacks we brought. Since we were so hungry, the food tasted even better than usual.

In the afternoon, we explored the beach to collect unique seashells and attempted to build a sandcastle. Before we left, we stood together to watch the golden sunset, which painted the sky with breathtaking colors. It was the perfect way to end the day, and we even managed to capture a beautiful family photo.

This trip will always remain one of my favorite memories, and I’m looking forward to our next family adventure.

I. Short-Answer Questions

1. Please identify the orientation in the text.
2. Please write at least 5 (five) past verbs used in the above text.
3. Is there a reorientation? Which paragraph?
4. How many persons were involved?
5. Where and when did the events take place?
6. Why did the family leave the house early in the morning?
7. What time did they arrive at the beach?
8. Who set up the tent?
9. Why did the food taste better than usual?
10. What did the family do before leaving the beach?

II. Vocabulary Practice

Match the words on the left with their definitions on the right:

Thrilled Shade Shoreline Sandcastle Sunset

A sculpture or structure made from sand The boundary where the land meets the sea Excited and happy The time of day when the sun disappears below the horizon A cool, dark area protected from direct sunlight

III. Writing Practice

Now, by referring to the above checklist, write your own recount text. You can talk about your experience:

• Going to the ....(Park, Museum, etc.)
• Visiting ....(My Uncle, the Zoo, etc.)
• A Day at the ....(Farm, Lake, Beach, etc.)
• My Unforgettable Experience in ....(Bali, Malang, etc.)
• Going ....(Shopping, Swimming, for a Picnic, etc.)

Happy writing.