Paradox and Oxymoron

Paradoxes and Oxymorons

By Elizabeth DeVanzo

What is a paradox?

A paradox is a sentence that expresses a contradictory, or opposite, meaning but at the same time expresses a TRUTH.

EXAMPLE: I know that I know nothing.

EXPLANATION: This expresses a contradictory or opposite meaning because how can you know that you know nothing if you know nothing?
You can't know nothing AND also know that you know that. However, it is also true.

The only constant is change.

How is this statement a paradox? Where is the opposite meaning? How is it true?

​"Constant" means that there is no change. But then it says that the only constant IS change.

BUT IT IS TRUE because something that always happens is change. Change is constantly happening.

You have to spend money to make money.

How does this statement a paradox? Where is the opposite meaning? How is it true?

Spending money is the opposite of making money. If you spend money, you don't have it.
IT IS TRUE because when you spend money in investing or buying a house, then in the end you make more money.

Multiple Choice

Which statement is a paradox?

• Death is the end.

• Less is more.

• To be a kind person means you must put others first.

Multiple Choice

Which statement is a paradox?

• Me, I always tell the truth. Even when I lie.

• Seeing clearly can bring you truth.

• Happiness is the goal in life.

Multiple Choice

Which statement is a paradox?

• The world is a stage and we are actors.

• Treat other people as you want to be treated.

• Life is much too important to be taken seriously.

Open Ended

I must be cruel (mean) in order to be kind.

How is this a paradox? How does it express opposite meaning and how is it also true?

Open Ended

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.

How is this a paradox? How does this express opposite meaning but how can it be true?

What is an oxymoron?

An oxymoron also expresses opposites but it only contains TWO WORDS that express opposite meaning.

Examples:
Jumbo shrimp- (Jumbo means large; shrimp is a fish but it also means small).

Honest thief- (Honest and thief are opposite words)

Virtual reality- (Virtual is not real but reality is real. OPPOSITES)

Sad Smile

How is this an oxymoron?

"Sad" is negative; "smile" is positive. Sad and smile are two opposite words.
Together they can make sense though. A person can give you a sad smile.

Only choice

How is this an oxymoron?

The word "only" means just one. The word "choice" means that there are many. So they have an opposite meaning.
However, when we put them together, it can make sense when a person feels like they had only one choice.

Why do authors use paradoxes and oxymorons in their writing?

• They make the reader think more deeply about the topic and challenge their thinking

• They may be used to emphasize a character's intense emotional state or thought process

• They help to express irony.

• Oxymoron sometimes is used to express humor

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an oxymoron?

• I am buried alive in paperwork.

• I have a bee in my hat.

• I'm as hungry as a horse

• I've met my match.

Multiple Choice

There was such a joyful sadness in her beautiful face. What is the oxymoron?

• Beautiful Face
• Such a
• Joyful Sadness
• None of these 

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of an oxymoron?

• B) Beautiful sunset

• C) Tall mountain

• A) Pretty ugly

• D) Fast car.

Open Ended

living dead

How is this an oxymoron?

Open Ended

Loud whisper

How is this an oxymoron?

Multiple Select

Does this sentence contain an oxymoron OR is it an example of a paradox?

I’m on a heavy diet until my wedding day.

• PARADOX

• OXYMORON

Multiple Select

Does this sentence contain an oxymoron OR is it an example of a paradox?

If you don’t risk anything, you risk everything.

• PARADOX

• OXYMORON

Multiple Choice

Does this sentence contain an oxymoron OR is it an example of a paradox?

Be careful in the playground. Run slowly.

• paradox

• oxymoron

Multiple Choice

Does this sentence contain an oxymoron OR is it an example of a paradox?

Here are the rules: Ignore all rules.

• paradox

• oxymoron

Multiple Choice

Does this sentence contain an oxymoron OR is it an example of a paradox?

This is the beginning of the end.

• paradox

• oxymoron

Multiple Choice

Does this sentence contain an oxymoron OR is it an example of a paradox?

There is a real love-hate relationship developing between the two of them.

• paradox

• euphemism

• oxymoron

Multiple Choice

Does this sentence contain an oxymoron OR is it an example of a paradox?

I let out a silent scream as the cat walked through the door carrying a dead bird.

• paradox

• oxymoron

Multiple Choice

If I know one thing, it's that I know nothing.

• paradox

• euphemism

• oxymoron

Multiple Choice

Does this sentence contain an oxymoron OR is it an example of a paradox?

I will ask the professor for his unbiased opinion.

• paradox

• oxymoron