The pen name used by Charles Dodgson is an example of what term for a fictitious name?

• A. Alias
• B. Pseudonym
• C. Sobriquet
• D. Nom de Plume

Answer: (B)

Using a fictitious name in writing is a pseudonym. Authors often adopt a pseudonym to separate their personal life from their work, reach different audiences, or write in a distinct genre. Charles Dodgson published under the name Lewis Carroll, which is a classic example of a pseudonym. An alias is a broader term for any alternate identity, a sobriquet is simply a nickname, and nom de plume is the French phrase for a pen name and is essentially the same idea but less commonly used in modern English. Hence, pseudonym is the most appropriate term.