Name_________________________________________________ Date____________________
“My Papa, Mark Twain” by Susy Clemens
Reading: Recognize Clues That Indicate Fact or Opinion
Nonfiction works often include an author’s opinion as well as facts. A fact is
information that can be proved. An opinion is a person’s judgment or belief.
Recognizing clues that indicate an opinion will help you evaluate a work of
nonfiction. To do this:
 Look for phrases that indicate an opinion, such as I believe or in my opinion.
 Look for words that indicate a personal judgment, such as wonderful or terrible.
 Be aware of words such as always, nobody, worst, and all that might indicate a personal
judgment or viewpoint.
Fact: Susy Clemens wrote a biography of her father when she was thirteen.
Opinion: It is obvious from her biography that Susy loved her father all her life.
DIRECTIONS: Read the following passages from Susy Clemens’s description of The Prince and
the Pauper in “My Papa, Mark Twain.” Underline details that indicate an opinion, personal
judgment, or viewpoint. On the lines below each passage, rewrite the passage to include only
facts. The first one has been done for you.
1. Papa’s appearance has been described many times, but very incorrectly.
Fact: Papa’s appearance has been described many times.
2. One of papa’s latest books is “The Prince and the Pauper” and it is unquestionably
the best book he has ever written, . . .
Fact:___________________________________________________________________
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3. I have wanted papa to write a book that would reveal something of his kind sympathetic
nature, and “The Prince and the Pauper” partly does it.
Fact:___________________________________________________________________
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4. The book is full of lovely charming ideas, and oh the language! It is perfect.
Fact:___________________________________________________________________
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5. I never saw a man with so much variety of feeling as papa has; now “The Prince and
the Pauper” is full of touching places, but there is always a streak of humor in them
somewhere.
Fact:___________________________________________________________________
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