Paradox and Oxymoron

Definition

◆

Paradox

is a statement containing

seemingly contradictory (different) or

incompatible (they don’t go together)

elements.

◆

Example:

◆

“Cowards die many times before their

death.”

◆

This is a paradox because you can only die

one time.

Example

◆

"I know that I know nothing.“

◆

If you know nothing, how can you

know something? How can you know

that you don’t know?

Example

◆

You can save money by spending it.

◆

This is a paradox because saving and

spending are different.

◆

I think this paradox means that you

can save money by making

investments (by a house or stocks)

​Oxymorons

Multiple Choice

Placing two contradictory phrases or ideas that, through deeper analysis, make logical sense.

• paradox

• oxymoron

Multiple Choice

Placing side by side two contradictory words that make logical sense when explained.

• paradox

• oxymoron

Multiple Choice

Is this an oxymoron?

pretty beautiful

• yes

• no

Multiple Choice

Identify the paradox.

• The best advice I have for you is: don’t listen to advice.

• The rains came.

• Parting is such sweet sorrow.

• She cared for him all his life.

Multiple Choice

Is this an oxymoron?

same difference

• yes

• no

Multiple Choice

Identify the paradox

• The clouds swam lazily in the sky

• The person who wrote that book can't write

• I was confused by the lesson

Multiple Choice

Is this an oxymoron?

calm storm

• yes

• no

Multiple Choice

What does the following paradox most likely mean?
"I close my eyes so that I can see."

• The person is blind and only has vision when closing his or her eyes.
• The person's imagination or internal vision is stronger when blocking out visual distractions. 
• It makes absolutely no sense. 
• The person needs to nap so that he or she can think better, 

Multiple Choice

Is this an oxymoron?

first leader

• yes

• no

Multiple Choice

Identify the paradox.

• The best advice I have for you is: don’t listen to advice.

• The rains came.

• Parting is such sweet sorrow.

• She cared for him all his life.

Multiple Choice

Is this an oxymoron?

living dead

• yes

• no

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT oxymoron?

• mild hot sauce
• comfortable misery 
• a wise fool 
•  a smart decision 

Poll

Are you confident and ready to use paradoxes and puns in your writing?

• Very Confident

• Fairly

  confident

• I need more practice

• No confidence