Understanding Single Stories

What is the central idea of the text?

• Literature primarily shapes the understanding of children, while adults are less likely to construct their views of the world based on a single story.

• By only exposing ourselves to a single story, we run the risk of constructing overly-simplistic understandings of other people and places.

• By only reading a single story, we cheat ourselves of experiencing different cultures from different perspectives.

• Literature is reflective of the stories that are most popular and that people are most likely to identify with.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

What connection does the author draw between British, American and African stories?

• British and American stories are more readily available across the world, while African writers and their stories are less accessible in other countries.

• British and American stories are more popular because more people can identify with them, while African stories do not provide identifiable experiences.

• British and American stories are more popular because most people are unwilling to read something different, like the works of African writers.

• British and American stories discuss a greater variety of experiences, while African stories are limited.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

What is the author's purpose in the text?

• Adichie wants to show people how she has managed to avoid being influenced by a single story, so that they can do the same.

• Adichie wants to warn people who primarily consume stories of Western culture, that they have likely been influenced by a single story.

• Adichie wants to show how important it is to acknowledge more than a single story in order to fully understand what you are unfamiliar with.

• Adichie wants to prove how limited the United States' understanding of other cultures is, as most of her experiences with single stories have been in the U.S.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.6

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.6

How do paragraphs 22-24 contribute to the development of ideas in the text?

• 1. They illustrate the damage that single stories can cause to groups of people.

• 1. They emphasize the vigilance of those in power to circulate single stories.

• 1. They show the consequences of believing single stories.

• 1. They demonstrate that anyone can fall victim to believing single stories.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

Which rhetorical strategy does Adichie use to support her argument? (Word from our notes yesterday!)

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5