Part 1. Definition
Read the given story and classify it as 'imagined', 'recalled', or 'retold'. If a story is imagined, the person who wrote the story is making it up, pretending they experienced it. If a story is recalled, the person who wrote the story really experienced it and is recalling it from memory. If a story is retold, it is a real memory like the 'recalled' stories, but written down much later after previously writing a 'recalled' story about the same events. So, recalled stories and retold stories will be fairly similar, in that they both were real experiences for the writer. Imagined stories have a more linear flow and contain more commonsense knowledge, whereas recalled stories are less connected and contain more specific concrete events. Additionally, higher levels of self reference are found in imagined stories. Between recalled and retold stories, retold stories flow significantly more linearly than recalled stories, and retold stories are significantly higher in scores for cognitive processes and positive tone.
Part 2. Example
Concerts are my most favorite thing, and my boyfriend knew it. That's why, for our anniversary, he got me tickets to see my favorite artist. Not only that, but the tickets were for an outdoor show, which I love much more than being in a crowded stadium. Since he knew I was such a big fan of music, he got tickets for himself, and even a couple of my friends. He is so incredibly nice and considerate to me and what I like to do. I will always remember this event and I will always cherish him. On the day of the concert, I got ready, and he picked me up and we went out to a restaurant beforehand. He is so incredibly romantic. He knew exactly where to take me without asking. We ate, laughed, and had a wonderful dinner date before the big event. We arrived at the concert and the music was so incredibly beautiful. I loved every minute of it. My friends, boyfriend, and I all sat down next to each other. As the music was slowly dying down, I found us all getting lost just staring at the stars. It was such an incredibly unforgettable and beautiful night.
Answer: imagined
Explanation: This is a good example because it really was an imagined story. The attributes that should tip you off are that the story is light on concrete events (they describe things in broad terms such as going to a restaurant and being at the stadium, but nothing specific about who was exactly where and anything specifically notable someone said or did) and heavy on references to the writer themselves and their internal feelings (they frequently repeat how much they loved it, how romantic they felt, how they cherished the night, etc). It's also very linear and structured, pointing to this being an imagined story. Additionally, the events and feelings described seem a little romanticized or idealized beyond what is usually a realistic circumstance.
Part 3. Exercise
A few months ago I met a man through a dating app whom I was able to make a connection with fairly quickly. We started seeing each other, but as time went on, it became evident that distance and lack of time were going to be issues in pursuing anything further. I brought it up to him a few times and he brushed it away, saying we'd figure it out eventually. He did come to see the same issues I did and confess that he didn't see any way of making any more time for the relationship in the foreseeable future. On my end, my own financial issues and obligations kept me from being able to close the gap on my end either. It was heartbreaking for me, because I have been single following a divorce for several years and hadn't had much luck meeting anyone, and I really liked him. We decided to stay friends even though he seemed fairly insensitive to my experience. As we continued spending time together as friends, we decided to try to make a relationship work again, coming from a place of increased understanding and better communication. Since the event, things have been going much better between the two of us, so ultimately, what was very sad at the time, turned into something positive. Confronting the issue of not having enough time, he has tried to be in contact more frequently and to make an effort to spend more time together. In service of that, he has introduced me to his daughter, so we can all spend time together. I have also made an effort to go to his place more frequently. I've met his parents as well. Communication has been important to both of us. I feel like there is a possibility this may all work out.
Answer:
retold