General terms:
* Narrative: This is a broad term that encompasses any writing that tells a story.
* Anecdote: A short, often amusing or interesting story about a real incident.
* Account: A detailed report of an event, often written in a factual and objective style.
* Recounting: A simple telling of an event, often with a personal perspective.
* Sketch: A brief and often informal description of an incident.
More specific terms:
* Short story: A fictionalized account of an incident, usually with a beginning, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
* Personal essay: A non-fiction piece that explores a specific incident or experience from the author's perspective.
* Memoir: A longer work of non-fiction that focuses on a significant event or period in the author's life.
* Journal entry: A personal record of an event, often written in a diary-like format.
* Poem: A piece of writing that uses language in a structured and often imaginative way to relate an incident, express emotion, or explore an idea.
Examples:
* A short story about a child's first day of school could be called an "anecdote" or a "short story."
* A factual account of a historical event could be called a "report" or an "account."
* A personal essay about a challenging experience could be called a "personal essay" or a "memoir."
Ultimately, the best term to use will depend on the specific content and style of the writing.