RECOUNT
- A recount is a record of events.
- It has an orientation which gives the background to the events that took place.
- It has a series of events told in the past tense. Time markers such as “yesterday”, “then”,
“soon” are used to sequence the events.
•
It
may end with a
re-orientation which refers the reader back to the orientation
The core of a recount is its sequence of events.
Recounts are used most often in :
- Newspaper articles – preceedings
of a trial, description of a soccer match, events before and after the occurrence of natural disasters
- Police Reports
- Biographies
- Autobiographies
- Diary Entries
- Historical Records
NARRATIVE
•
A narrative is a story.
•
It
has an orientation which gives the background to the story.
•
It
has an element of
suspense introduced by a complication.
Just as in real
life, some sort of problem arises which the main character or characters in the story need to deal with.
•
It
has a resolution which tells how the main character or characters confront the problem and resolve it.
•
It
has a coda which summarises the point of the story.
–
For
example : Although that incident
happened four years ago, I can still
remember every single detail
of it, and I do not think I will ever forget it. My mother still has not completely forgiven me, though. How can I blame her?
I have not even forgiven myself.
•
The core of a narrative is the complication faced by its characters.
Narratives are used most often in :
•
Fables
•
Myths
and Legends
•
Detective
Stories
•
Adventure
Stories
•
Thrillers
•
Period
Dramas
- Narratives are written mainly for entertainment. Those which not only entertain
but instruct are highly valued. They carry either a moral or message derived from the events in which characters are involved.
