Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of a pen name?
What is the primary purpose of a pen name?
Which author used the pen name 'Dr. Seuss'?
Which author used the pen name 'Dr. Seuss'?
What motivated J.K. Rowling to choose her pen name 'J.K.'?
What motivated J.K. Rowling to choose her pen name 'J.K.'?
Which famous pseudonym did Ben Franklin use?
Which famous pseudonym did Ben Franklin use?
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What reason did Theodor Geisel have for using the pen name 'Dr. Seuss'?
What reason did Theodor Geisel have for using the pen name 'Dr. Seuss'?
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Why did J.K. Rowling adopt a new pen name after the Harry Potter series?
Why did J.K. Rowling adopt a new pen name after the Harry Potter series?
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Why did Samuel Clemens use the pen name 'Mark Twain'?
Why did Samuel Clemens use the pen name 'Mark Twain'?
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What is one of the main reasons authors use pen names?
What is one of the main reasons authors use pen names?
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Which of the following was NOT a reason discussed for using a pen name?
Which of the following was NOT a reason discussed for using a pen name?
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Identifying which of these authors and their pen names is incorrect?
Identifying which of these authors and their pen names is incorrect?
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Study Notes
Pen Names Explained
- A pen name, also known as a pseudonym, is a fictional name an author uses instead of their real name.
- Authors use pen names for various reasons, including concealing gender, protecting family, or avoiding a negative reputation.
Famous Pen Names
- Dr. Seuss: Theodor Geisel, used the pen name "Seuss" as a way to avoid getting in trouble with his friends and stay in the college newspaper.
- Poor Richard/Richard Saunders: Benjamin Franklin used this pen name to write "Poor Richard's Almanack.". This was a popular humorous book.
- J.K. Rowling: Joanne Rowling also used a pen name to avoid a gender bias.
- Robert Galbraith: Joanne Rowling created a more recent pen name for some books, to avoid being overshadowed by the popularity of the Harry Potter series.
- Mark Twain: Samuel Clemens hid his identity under the pseudonym "Mark Twain." His name came from a riverboat term, referring to measuring river depths.
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Description
Test your knowledge about famous authors and their pen names. From Dr. Seuss to Mark Twain, discover why they chose to write under pseudonyms and the impact it had on their careers. Take this quiz to learn more about the literary world and its anonymous figures.
