The danger of a single story

Point 1

Adichie begins by reflecting on how growing up reading Western stories shaped her perception of the world and herself

“all my characters were white and blue eyed”

Visual imagery shows how limited representation in literature made her internalise a Western view as the norm, erasing her own culture

Personal anecdote structure

She starts the speech with a story from childhood, making the talk more personal and relatable

Reader effect 1

aware of how easily stereotypes are formed, especially in childhood and how damaging they can be

Point 2

Adichie acknowledges her own biases, showing that no one is immune to forming “single stories”

“I too had bought into the single story”

inclusive language ( i too) is honest and self-reflective, showing that this issue is universal and rooted in limited exposure

Shift in perspective

the speech moves from being about her to others, showing how this is a global issue no just personal

Reader’s effect 2

the reader respects her honestly and is encouraged to examine their assumptions and unconscious biases

point 3

Argues for rejecting single narratives and embracing complexity

When we reject the single story… we regain a kind of paradise”

metaphor of paradise suggests that tuth, empathy and eichnss of experience are only possible though multiple perspectives

Single story repetition

reinforces the central theme and helps the audience to remember her message

Readers effect 3

Left inspired and reflective, encouraged to seek out and listen to aa broader range of voices