Table of Contents
What’s in a Name? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 minutes
Epigram Exam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 minutes
©2006 TeachersBrunch.com
Name:___________________________________________________ Date: _________________________________
What's in a Name?
What’s In a Name?
Like Samuel Clemens, many authors elect to use pen names. While some names may be random choices, others have direct connections to the life experiences and interests of the author.
Directions: Complete the following chart to devise your own pen name. First, fill in the boxes to explain Twain’s
choice of pen name. Then, use the second row of boxes for your own pen name.
Original Name
Samuel
Clemens
©2006 TeachersBrunch.com
Pen Name
Reason for
Choice
Alternative
Reason
Name:___________________________________________________ Date: _________________________________
Epigram Exam
Directions: Select and circle one of the epigrams or quotations listed below and respond to the prompts. Feel
free to use the back of this paper if need be.
Featured Epigrams and Quotes:
What is a literary classic?
“…a book which people praise and don’t read.”
How does one become successful?
“All you need is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure.”
Why should one do good in the world?
“Always do right. That will gratify some of the people, and astonish the rest.”
“Don't take life too seriously; you'll never get out of it alive anyway.”
“It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt.”
“Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.”
“Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please.”
“I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.”
“If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything.”
“The man who doesn't read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them. “
“Suppose you were an idiot and suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.”
“It could probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctly American criminal class except
Congress.”
Prompts:
1.
What is Twain implying in this statement?
2.
Do you agree with him?
3.
Give an example to support, or refute, the validity of Twain’s statement.
4.
What about this epigram or quote makes it humorous?
5. Is Twain making a serious observation, or a satirical comment? Explain
your choice.
©2006 TeachersBrunch.com