A recount text is a text that tells us about a part of experience. A recount text has an orientation, a series of events in chronological order, and a reorientation that “rounds off” the sequence of events.
Joining the Traditional Dance Competition
I joined the Traditional Dance Competition in Jakarta last year. I represented my Junior High School. It was my biggest competition. I practised hard with my teacher for a month. We also prepared the best costume we had.
We only had one day in Jakarta. We went there by plane. We left at 6 a.m. and arrived in Jakarta at 7 a.m. We took a taxi to take us to the place where the competition was held. It took an hour to get there. There were already some participants when we arrived. The competition would start in an hour.
First, my teacher and I went to the dressing room. My teacher helped me do the make-up and the costume. We spent almost an hour for the preparation. I told my teacher that I was really nervous. I was not ready for this. However, she told me that everything was alright, and I felt better.
Then, the time came for me to perform on stage. There were five judges and about two hundred people watching me. However, I did not feel nervous anymore. I performed on the stage confidently. I really did the best I could. I was glad when it ended smoothly.
After that, we waited for the announcement of the result. It was 4 p.m. when the judges finished making their final decision. I was so impatient to hear the result. I still could not believe when they called my name as the first winner. I was so happy to be given the trophy. My teacher was also proud of my achievement. Finally, we went back to Yogyakarta in the evening. We were so tired. However, we were satisfied because our effort was not useless.
· The first paragraph is called orientation (provides the setting and introduces participants)
· The second until the fourth paragraph is called events (tell what happened, in what sequence)
· The last paragraph is called re-orientation (optional-closure of events)
Language Features
1. Use Past Form
To talk about past events and conditions, you use VERB-2 forms. Here are some examples taken from the text.
Ø I joined the Traditional Dance Competition in Jakarta last year.
Ø It was my biggest competition.
· Telling Past Events
S + V2
Examples:
Ø My teacher helped me do the make-up and the costume.
Ø I was not ready for this.
· The adverbs that are usually used in the ‘past form’ sentences are:
Ø yesterday, last week, and
Ø a week ago, last …
Ø … ago,
2. Use Time Conjunctions
· Example: and, but, after, finally, next, etc.
