The re-enumeration is a form of the essay in which the aim is to recount a read text in hindsight and to reproduce it in its own words. The re-enumeration is introduced in the German language at elementary school and is an important basis for later discussions with the written language (→ write content)
Since the recount is a kind of the essay, it is based on the well-known outline of the introduction, main part, and conclusion. At the same time, we try to reproduce exactly the content of the original and, on the other hand, to let live and tension flow into the text.
The narrative, novels, fables, short stories or even the epic are usually used as a basis for a re-enactment. Rather, we rarely tell the story of a poem, since this can be grasped with little effort.
Note: In this article, we explain how to build a re-enumeration, what we need to look out for in writing, and how you can write a re-enumeration of a text.
Characteristics of a recount
The recounting reproduces the most important things of a narrative. This means that unimportant passages can be safely left out, and only things in the text that are relevant to the action are mentioned.
Furthermore, the underlying history is not changed or adorned. No new figures are introduced or things are mentioned that are not in the text at all.
This is true not only for figures, but also for time, space and the place of action.
The recounting is always written in the past tense, that is, the past, and remains faithful to this time form throughout the text. In no case does she jump between times.
Not only the time, but also the personnel form is always the same. If a narrative is written from the ego perspective, we also use it in recounting, when the story shows the individual characters from the outside, this is also done in the essay.
The text is built just like the original text and retains the same order. Events are portrayed as they are told in the original work.
A similar style prevails in a re-enactment, as in the original. If the text is more modern, we use a similar style, it looks old-fashioned, this fact is taken into account and is used in the essay.
However, the language is not adapted, but remains in modern Hochdeutsch, even if the original was written in another dialect.
If there is direct speech in the original, that is, an oral utterance, it is preserved in exactly this form. In the recount, the speech is thus not transformed.
Important: The retelling must be written in own words and must not be simply depreciated. Whoever writes off does not follow the text.
Prepare the recount
Before we devote ourselves to the actual essay, it makes sense to prepare a few things in order not to make mistakes in writing or to forget important things.
We usually read the text thoroughly several times. If there are any ambiguities, please write them down to clarify them.
It is useful to write down the contents of the story as a point-of-the-spot when reading or listening, so that no essential details in writing
Write the recount
Structure of the re-enumeration (The structure is like the original!)
Introduction: Here we describe quite briefly what the following text is about. However, we should not anticipate the main part. Basically, we only answer the questions Who? When? Where?
Main part: Here the actual re-enactment of our text takes place. In doing so, we explain the individual narrative steps (what happens) and focus on the highlights of the story.
Conclusion: This is as in the original. It is important to reveal everything. The reader / listener is not to be curious, but rather to know what is the point.
Introduction: Who? Where? When?
The beginning of the recount makes a brief introduction, which offers an introduction into our essay. Here we can specify which characters play a role in the following text, where the whole story takes place and perhaps still point to the time at which the action takes place. More information is not required at this point.
Main part: Important strings of action
If we have written the brief introduction, we can devote ourselves to the essential: namely, the actual action. In doing so, it is important that we keep the right order and not invent anything, or think about extra figures. There are also no conjectures here. We try to tell the story from beginning to end and describe in the text only the most important things.
Note: Whether something is important or not is easy to find. Let us just ask ourselves whether the story would have ended just as if the event in question had not taken place. If we can affirm that, it has probably not been so important.
Conclusion: In short
The final part of the essay is the conclusion. But this is not about our opinion or a judgment of the action, but simply about the end of the story. What is the situation like? How do all the action strings end? Not more. But not less.
Checklist for recounting
Have we considered all the important action sequences in our text?
Is the order of the described actions in our work consistent with the text?
Is the personnel form always the same or is jumped between the individual forms?
Have we written the text in our own words, or have some passages taken from the work? If so, then absolutely remove.
Is the text written in the preterite or are we jumping in time?
Is the style similar to or different from the original and the recount?
Is the text alive and varied?
Tip: An essay is always a bit more interesting and lively when we use different verbs and adjectives and do not always use the same words. So it becomes more varied!