Whose Story Is It?

The Whose Story Is It? icebreaker is a fun and engaging activity that involves sharing true and bizarre stories about oneself. The purpose of this game is to foster a sense of community, promote active listening, and encourage storytelling in a group setting. To play, participants write down a personal story on a piece of paper, along with their name, and place it in a container. A mediator then reads out the stories, and the group tries to guess whose story it is by asking different people to tell specific stories. The individuals on the “hot seat” aim to convince the group that the story they are telling is indeed theirs. This process repeats until everyone has had a turn in the hot seat. Overall, Whose Story Is It? is an excellent icebreaker for all ages, as it helps participants learn interesting or humorous facts about each other while having fun.

1. Distribute paper and pens to all participants.
2. Ask everyone to write down a true story or experience along with their name.
3. Encourage people to share bizarre stories.
4. Fold the papers and put them in a container, mixing them up.
5. A mediator picks out four slips of paper and calls the named individuals to sit on chairs apart from the group.
6. The mediator reads the stories aloud.
7. The group tries to guess whose story is whose by asking different people to tell their version of the story.
8. The individuals on the couch attempt to convince the group that the story they tell is indeed theirs.
9. After each person has told a few stories, hold a group vote.
10. Repeat until everyone has had a turn.
11. Focus on having fun, telling stories, and learning interesting or humorous facts about each other.

• Paper - You will need individual sheets of paper for each participant to write their true story or experience on.
• Pens - Make sure you have enough pens for everyone playing the game, so they can comfortably and legibly write down their stories.
• Container - A container, such as a bowl or hat, is necessary to mix and store the slips of paper with the written stories and names. This will allow for random selection during the game.

To set up for the “Whose Story Is It?” icebreaker activity, you will need to ensure that you have a sufficient number of slips of paper and pens for all participants. You should also prepare a container or basket to hold the slips of paper once they have been written on and folded.

Before starting the game, designate an area where the selected participants will sit while the group tries to guess whose story is whose. This can be a couch, a few chairs, or any other seating arrangement that separates them from the rest of the group.

Choose a mediator who will be responsible for picking out slips of paper, reading the stories, and facilitating the game. Make sure they understand their role and are comfortable with it.

Lastly, create a welcoming and inclusive environment by arranging the seating in a circle or semi-circle to encourage eye contact and active listening among participants. This will help ensure that everyone feels engaged and involved throughout the activity.

1. Pass out slips of paper and pens: I will distribute the materials needed for the game to each participant.
2. Have everyone briefly write down a true story or experience: I will ask my friends to recall and jot down an unusual personal anecdote, along with their name, on a piece of paper.
3. Fold the slips of paper and put them into the container: I will collect the stories, fold them, place them in a container, and shuffle them thoroughly.
4. A mediator picks out four slips of paper: I will randomly select four story slips from the container to initiate the first round.
5. Call out the names of the people: I will read aloud the names associated with each of the selected stories.
6. These people go and sit on chairs or a couch apart from the group: The identified individuals will relocate to designated seating areas, separated from the rest of the participants.
7. Read off the stories: I will read the bizarre stories one-by-one for the group to hear.
8. The group tries to figure out whose story is whose: I will encourage my friends to guess which person’s true story corresponds to each read aloud anecdote.
9. Asking different people to tell different stories: I will invite participants to share their matching stories from the selection, building a connection between personal experiences and group understanding.
10. The people on the couch try to convince the group that the story they tell really is theirs: The separated individuals will assert ownership of their respective stories in an attempt to persuade the group.
11. After everyone on the couch has told a few different stories, the group votes: I will facilitate a friendly vote among participants to determine whose story was best matched with each read aloud anecdote.
12. This repeats until everyone has gone up: I will ensure that every individual has a chance to participate in both guessing and sharing roles throughout multiple rounds. The main goal of the game is to have fun telling stories, learn interesting or humorous facts about each other, and strengthen our bond as friends.

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• Encourages active listening: By asking participants to identify the author of each story, this icebreaker promotes attentive listening as players try to match the stories with their respective tellers.
• Fosters a sense of community: As participants share personal anecdotes and learn about one another’s experiences, they feel more connected and develop a stronger bond within the group.
• Promotes public speaking skills: The game offers opportunities for individuals to practice telling stories in front of an audience, helping them build confidence and improve their communication abilities.
• Reveals unique insights about participants: By sharing unusual or surprising experiences, players can uncover shared interests, values, or backgrounds, leading to a better understanding of each other.
• Provides entertainment value: The bizarre nature of the stories and the suspense of guessing who wrote them make for an enjoyable and memorable group activity, keeping participants engaged and having fun throughout the session.

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• Active Listening: Playing “Whose Story Is It?” requires participants to carefully listen to the stories being told by their peers in order to correctly guess whose story it is. This helps build active listening skills as players must focus on the details and nuances of each story.
• Empathy: By sharing personal stories and experiences, players are able to better understand and empathize with one another. This can help create a more supportive and understanding group dynamic.
• Public Speaking: Each time a player is chosen to sit on the couch, they must tell several different stories in front of the group. This provides an opportunity for players to practice their public speaking skills in a low-stress environment.
• Critical Thinking: The group must work together to figure out whose story is whose by asking different people to tell different stories and then voting on which story they think belongs to each person. This requires critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Communication: Players must clearly communicate their thoughts and ideas in order to successfully guess whose story is whose, making this icebreaker a great way to build communication skills.
• Self-awareness: By sharing personal stories and experiences, players are able to reflect on their own lives and become more self-aware. This can lead to increased self-confidence and personal growth.

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I appreciate the Whose Story Is It? icebreaker because it offers a fun and engaging way to learn more about the people in a group. By sharing true stories and experiences, participants can gain insights into each other’s lives and backgrounds, fostering a stronger sense of community and connection.

One aspect I particularly enjoy is the opportunity to hear bizarre and unexpected tales from my peers. These stories often challenge my assumptions and provide a fresh perspective on the people I interact with regularly. Additionally, attempting to guess whose story belongs to whom adds an element of excitement and competition to the activity, keeping everyone engaged and entertained.

As a mediator, guiding the group through the icebreaker also offers leadership experience and opportunities to practice public speaking skills. Furthermore, listening attentively to each person’s stories can improve active listening abilities, which is an essential skill in both personal and professional settings.

Overall, Whose Story Is It? is a versatile and enjoyable icebreaker that encourages storytelling, active listening, and connection among participants, making it an excellent addition to any gathering.

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• Tip: Use neutral language and themes. Encourage story submissions that are inclusive and respectful to all participants, avoiding language or topics that may be offensive or alienating.

• Tip: Provide accommodations for diverse abilities. If any participants have visual, hearing, or other impairments, make sure to provide alternative ways for them to engage in the activity, such as large print handouts or a sign language interpreter.

• Tip: Consider cultural sensitivity When choosing stories to read aloud, be mindful of cultural differences and avoid stories that may stereotype or marginalize certain groups.

• Tip: Encourage participation from all. Make sure everyone has an opportunity to submit a story and participate in the game. This can be done by setting clear expectations for turn-taking and ensuring that everyone is given equal attention and respect during the activity.

• Tip: Use gender-neutral language. Avoid using gendered pronouns or assumptions when reading stories and asking questions, to create an inclusive environment for all participants regardless of their gender identity.

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1. What was your favorite story that was shared during the game? Why did it resonate with you? Understanding what stories were most impactful to participants can help create connections and provide insight into their interests.
2. How did it feel to have others guess whose story was whose? Did you find it challenging or easy to convince the group that a particular story was yours? This question can help participants reflect on their communication skills, as well as build empathy and understanding among the group.
3. Did any of the stories surprise you or challenge your assumptions about someone in the group? If so, how? Encouraging reflection on personal biases can lead to increased open-mindedness and stronger relationships within the group.
4. How did sharing these personal stories contribute to building a sense of community within the group? This question highlights the importance of vulnerability and authenticity in fostering connection, trust, and collaboration among group members.
5. Were there any common themes or experiences that emerged from the stories shared today? If so, what were they? Identifying shared experiences can help participants feel a sense of belonging and provide opportunities for further discussion and exploration.

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