Which type of memory involves the ability to clearly describe facts or events?

Explicit memory refers to the type of memory that allows individuals to consciously recall and articulate facts and events. This form of memory is often subdivided into episodic memory, which pertains to personal experiences and specific events, and semantic memory, which relates to general knowledge and factual information. Because explicit memory involves awareness and deliberate retrieval of memories, it enables a person to clearly describe experiences and information.

In contrast, implicit memory operates unconsciously, allowing individuals to perform tasks without recalling the specific memories associated with those tasks. Short-term memory, while it allows for temporary storage of information, does not specifically pertain to the detailed recollection of facts or events. Procedural memory, on the other hand, is a form of implicit memory that relates to the knowledge of how to perform tasks, such as riding a bike or playing an instrument, and does not involve the conscious recollection necessary to describe facts or events clearly. Thus, explicit memory is the correct type of memory for the ability to articulate facts and specific events.