Temporal sharpening involves a tendency to describe events in the present tense. Movement is often emphasized or introduced. Items prominent because of their relative size or quantity tend to be retained. Labels tend to persist. Primacy effects may lead to the retention of items coming first in a series.
Familiar symbols are also likely to be retained.
Explanations may be introduced, especially to produce closure . This involves the influence of habits, interests and sentiments on reporters and listeners. Aspects of a story are sharpened or levelled to make them more consistent with what is seen as the principal theme of the story, thus making the story more coherent and well-rounded . Items relevant to the theme may be imported and those irrelevant to the theme may be omitted. Apparent gaps may be filled.