Re-tells something that really happened in the past. It is written in the first person (using "I" and "we") and in the past tense.
Examples: a diary entry, a letter, a trip report, a news article about an event you attended
1. Introduction — Who, what, where and why?
2. Getting there — How did you travel?
3. What happened — What did you see and do?
4. Highlights — What was most interesting?
5. Conclusion — What did you think overall?
On Tuesday, our class went on a trip to the Natural History Museum in London. We travelled there by coach and arrived at ten o'clock in the morning. First of all, our teacher took us to the entrance, where a huge dinosaur skeleton stood in the middle of the hall.
Then, we visited the Blue Zone and saw lots of enormous sea creatures. Our guide talked to us about how deep the ocean is. I asked her a question about blue whales and she said they can grow to 30 metres long!
Later on, we sat in the cosy café and ate our packed lunches. The weather was cold outside, so it was nice to stay warm indoors. However, we only stayed for twenty minutes because there was still so much to see.
Overall, I thought the museum was a fantastic place to visit. I would love to go back one day and spend even more time in the fossil room. It was definitely the best school trip I have ever been on!
The text is split into paragraphs. Each one covers a different part of the trip. The first paragraph gives the who, where and how. The last paragraph gives a personal opinion.
Count how many connectives you can find in the model text. Can you spot: First of all, Then, Later on, So, However, Overall? These words help the reader follow the story in order.
The writer uses numbers (30 metres long), adjectives (enormous, cosy, cold) and direct speech (she said…) to make the writing feel real and interesting.
🎯 Your turn: Before you write, talk to a partner. Use these questions to plan your ideas:
1. Why did your class visit the museum? | 2. How did you get there? | 3. What did you see and do? | 4. What was the most interesting thing? | 5. What did you think overall?
Include: WHERE you went · WHEN · HOW you got there · WHY you visited
Include: what the rooms were like · objects you noticed · who you spoke to
Include: any meals or breaks · something unexpected · how you felt
Include: the most memorable moment · something you learned · your opinion
Include: your overall opinion · would you go again? · one final thought
🏆 Extension Challenge: Can you turn your recount into a letter to a friend, or a diary entry? Try changing "we" to "I" and adding more personal feelings throughout!