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:___________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ 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:___________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ 4. The book is full of lovely charming ideas, and oh the language! It is perfect. Fact:___________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ 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:___________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________