Sockpuppetry is the use of two or more pseudonyms in a single online discussion or venue, and the pretence that they are separate writers. It is used create a false impression of participation in an argument. Each identity is called a sockpuppet. Sometimes each sockpuppet is given a "real" sounding name, sometimes an obvious pseudonym. The term "sockpuppet" might also be used for a single identity that has a background story that is discovered to be faked, especially if the sockpuppet claimed to be part of a minority group that the writer isn't actually part of.