2.10b Self-test (B). Procedure - re-written as a Recount
Social purpose: To relate how something was done or carried out
How we built a compost heap
| Text structure | Language features | |
| Orientation | Today we 1built a 3compost heap for our 3school garden. | 1. Action verbs in the simple past tense |
| Series of events | 4First, we 1found materials to use to build a compost bin, some 3cement bricks, chicken wire and an old framed screen. 4Then we 1stacked the bricks into 3a square three feet tall and wide, and 1faced the holes in the blocks 2outwards 2for aeration. 4Next we 1secured the blocks with the chicken wire and we intended to use the 3screen for a lid by securing it 2with more cement blocks. | 2.Adverbs and adverbials to build description to verb groups 3. Detailed nouns and noun groups, including adjectivals to build description |
| Events | 4Second, we 1placed in the 3bin a layer of chopped up 3grass and leaves and stalks, 4then 1mixed in a bag of manure and 1sprayed everything 2with water. 4Lastly, we 1put in a layer of ground limestone, followed by a 3layer of garden soil. | 4. Time connectives to show the chronological order of events |
| Events | 4Finally, our compost heap was ready for its 3lid. | |
| Coda | We knew then that we would have to keep turning over the pile every few days and add a little more 1water as well as more chopped up 3plants and leaves until the bin was filled. 4Then we would wait for the 3worms to do their job! |
Explanations
Text structure:
This reflects the purpose of the text which is to relate events and not to give instructions. Thus there is an introduction to the recount and also a coda which gives the writer's personal comments, neither of which would be appropriate for a procedural text.
The sequence of events is the same, but presented differently, again to suit the purpose of the text.
Language features:
Because this is a piece of connected writing, the order or sequence of events is indicated by the use of time connectives, (eg first, next, then) rather than using numbers.
Action verbs are used to show the events, but they are in the past tense and not in the command form.
Particular nouns are used, just as they are in procedural texts.
There are also adjectivals and adverbials to build description - again these would be found in procediural texts.