Single Stories

• With a partner, brainstorm what words,

Stereotype phrases, and ideas that you associate
with stereotypes.
• Using the words, phrases, and ideas we
discussed, write a definition for
stereotype.
• Swap your definition with another
group and read theirs. As a group, you
will write a combined definition of
stereotype.
• Once you have your combined
definition, scan the QR code and write
on the Padlet wall.
https://bit.ly/stereotype2022
 • A stereotype is a belief about an
individual based on the real or
Definition: imagined characteristics of a group
to which that individual belongs.
Stereotype • Stereotypes can lead us to
judge an individual or group
negatively.
 stereotypes that seem to
portray a group positively can
reduce individuals to
categories and tell an
incomplete or inaccurate
“single story.”
 • We will be watching a TED Talk called,
”The Danger of a Single Story” by

“T he
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
• While watching the TED Talk, you will

Danger
answer the questions on your “The
Danger of a Single Story” handout

of a
• Adichie uses the phrase “single
stories” to describe the overly

Single
simplistic and sometimes false
perceptions we form about

Story”
individuals, groups, or countries.
• Her novels and short stories
complicate the single stories many
people believe about Nigeria, the
country where she is from.
 “T he Discuss the following questions
Danger of
with a partner. Be prepared to
share your response.
a Single
Story”: • What does it mean to reduce
someone to a single story?
Reflection • Why can “single stories” be
dangerous?
 “T he
Adichie states in “The Danger of a
Single Story, “The single story
Danger of creates stereotypes…and the
a Single
problem with stereotypes is not
that they are untrue, but that they
Story”: are incomplete. They make one
Reflection story become the only story.”
 On the sheet provided answer the
following questions. Be prepared to
share your response.
• If you had to define yourself, your
Everyone
identity, your interests in just one
word or idea, what would it be?
Has a • Was it difficult to define yourself
Story in one word or idea? Why or why
not?
• Why might how others see you
affect your identity? Why isn’t
your identity only how you see
yourself?
 • Now that we have heard Adichie’s story, we
will be discussing our own single stories.
• You will be placed into eight separate groups.
• Each group will be given a large piece of paper

Graffiti
with a question in the middle and time to
respond to the question individually.

Activity
• Once the time is up, you will move to another
piece of paper with a new question and repeat
the process.
• Throughout this process, you can:
• Respond to other student’s questions or ideas.
Be respectful!
• Connect your comments with your classmates
using lines and arrows.
Graffiti
• Return to your original prompt and read all of
the contributing comments, discuss them, and
summarize them.
Activity • You will be provided a brief presentation to the
class about your question.
 • Has someone ever made an

Question
assumption about you
because of some aspect of
#1 your identity? What was it?
Was it a positive assumption
or a negative one?
Question • What single stories have you
#2
noticed that others have
about you?
Question • What single stories have you
#3
noticed that you hold about
others?
 • What dilemmas have you
Question experienced when others
#4 view you differently than
you view yourself?
 • You will be spending the
Exploring
next few classes exploring
your story.
Your Story • Review the “Exploring Your
Story Project” handout