The Prince and the Pauper Paraphrasing Activity

The dialogue in The Prince and the Pauper can be difficult for some students due to its archaic language. Twain tries to mimic the vocabulary and syntax of sixteenth century English. Storyboards can help your students understand some of the difficult language by lending visual aids to paraphrasing activities. Have students select an important or particularly difficult line of dialogue and depict its meaning in a single square. Beneath the square, have students paraphrase the line using modern English.

The Prince and the Pauper Paraphrase

Original Line

“Oh, prithee say no more; ‘tis glorious? If that I could but clothe me in raiment like to thine, and strip my feet, and revel in the mud once, just once, with none to rebuke me or forbid, meseemeth I could forgo the crown!”

Paraphrase

"Oh, please, stop! What you're saying sounds amazing! If, just once, I could wear your clothes and play in the mud without being scolded, I would give up the crown!

Student Instructions

1. Click "Start Assignment".
2. Choose a part of dialogue and write it in the heading.
3. In the description, rewrite the dialogue in a more understandable, easier way.
4. Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
5. Save and Exit