Figures of Contrast Vocabulary

juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in balanced phrases

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times—Dickens's antithesis.”

reversal of grammatical structures in successive phrases

“Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”

combining contradictory terms for effect

“Parting is such sweet sorrow—Shakespeare's oxymoron.”

a seemingly contradictory statement that reveals a deeper truth

“The only thing I know is that I know nothing—Socratic paradox.”

affirmation through double negative or understatement

“She's not unattractive—litotes suggesting she's quite beautiful.”

repetition of words in reverse order

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”