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Writing Recounts
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Writing Recounts

Recounts retell real events in time order. Practise first person, past tense, and vivid detail so readers understand what happened and why it mattered.

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Fascinating Fact:

Include thoughts and lessons learned. Example: I felt nervous at first, but the speech taught me to breathe slowly.

In 11 Plus English, a recount is a clear, chronological retelling of real events. Use first person, past tense, time connectives, and reflective endings to show what changed or was learned.

  • Recount: A personal retelling of something that really happened, written for an audience.
  • Chronological order: Arranging events in the order they occurred, using time words like first and afterwards.
  • Reflection: A brief comment on feelings, outcomes, or lessons learned after the event.
What is a recount in 11 Plus English?

A recount is a structured retelling of real events. It uses first person, past tense, time connectives, and finishes with a brief reflection or conclusion.

Should a recount be in past tense or present tense?

Use past tense for events that already happened. Present tense is only used in rare narrative styles; for exams, past tense is safest.

How do I end a recount effectively?

End with a reflection that sums up feelings, results, or lessons learned. Keep it short and link back to the purpose of the recount.

1 .
Which one of the following topics could be written as a recount?
How to make apple crumble
Ten top fishing tips
What to look for when buying a second hand car
A journey through Africa
You can recount your adventures and experiences
2 .
Which one of the following topics could be written as a recount?
How to assemble self-assemble furniture
The best way to play golf
The fall of the city of Constantinople
Ten top recipes
You could recount how the city fell (in 1453) and what happened to the inhabitants
3 .
Which one of the following topics could be written as a recount?
How to cook fish
The discovery of Tutankhamun
You are what you eat
Home decorator tips
You could recount how Tutankhamun's tomb in Egypt was discovered
4 .
Which one of the following topics could be written as a recount?
Buy the best PCs on the market
How I conquered my fear of mice
The Alsatian dog owner's guide
How to deal with high blood pressure
You could recount your experiences and how you eventually got over your fear of mice - squeak! squeak!
5 .
Which one of the following topics could be written as a recount?
Three years in a prisoner of war camp
The best bathroom furniture in town
How to build up your self-confidence
The Mercedes Benz E Class range of cars
You could recount your experiences and the difficulties you faced
6 .
Which one of the following topics could be written as a recount?
How to cook sweet potatoes
The life and death of Napoleon Bonaparte
Looking after horses
Advanced driving tips
You could recount Napoleon Bonaparte's life and death: his achievements, his failures, how he lived his life and how he died
7 .
Which one of the following topics could be written as a recount?
How I baked my first cake
Twenty ways to improve your vocabulary
Stamp collecting for beginners
Ten top books for bedtime
You could recount your experiences of baking your first cake
8 .
Which one of the following topics could be written as a recount?
A recipe
A handbook
A 'how to' book
A book of battles
You could recount the battles: what happened in the battles, who won and who lost
9 .
Which one of the following topics could be written as a recount?
Ten years in the Foot Guards regiment
Join the army and see the world
The British Army is very professional
Do you want to join the army?
You could recount your experiences of life in the Foot Guards
10 .
Which one of the following topics could be written as a recount?
Do it yourself painting and decorating
Good sleeping habits
How I became a lawyer
How to breed sheep
You could recount your experiences that led up to you becoming a lawyer
Author:  Frank Evans (Specialist 11 Plus Teacher and Tutor)

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