An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines opposite or contradictory words, terms, phrases or ideas to create a rhetorical or paradoxical effect. For example, the word “oxymoron” was created by combining the Greek words “oxy”, meaning “sharp”, with “moros”, meaning “dull,” making the word oxymoron an oxymoron.

Oxymorons should be used to draw attention to contradiction. Notable authors, like William Shakespeare, filled their works with oxymorons like “damned saint”, “honorable villain” and “loyal deceit” to help readers capture the depth and character of their stories. The absurd descriptions oxymorons create often add humor and emphasize that the subjects they refer to are not real.  Examples include:

• Jumbo shrimp
• Meatless hamburger
• Fun run
• Working vacation
• Roaring silence
• The living dead
• Virtual real estate
• Genuine imitation
• Tight slacks

Oxymorons improve writing in a variety of ways by evoking fresh and vigorous images in your reader’s mind.

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Jacob

Paradoxes improve writing by engaging your reader’s intellect with an unsolvable dilemma.  The main components of a paradox are one or more true statements that lead to contradiction in the reader’s mind by defying intuition.  For example, the Cretan philosopher Epimenides, wrote: “Cretans always lie.” This is a wonderful example of a paradox, as it leaves one scratching their head wondering whether Epimenides, the Cretan stating that “Cretan always lie,” is telling the truth, which invalidates the statement, or is a liar himself, thus exemplifying the statement.

While a paradox can contain a variety of elements, a typical paradox complies with three laws:  (1) self reference, (2) one or more contradictory statements, and (3) a circular flow of logic. In the above example, all three laws of the paradox are contained within a single sentence. Firist, Epimendes makes a self-reference by referring to Cretans, which race he belongs to. Then, by presenting the “truth” as a lie, Epimenides forms a contradictory circle of logic, which cannot be resolved.

The paradox’s powerful use of contradiction and circular logic create an intriguing dilemma in our minds that can be endlessly debated but never definitively resolved. Consider Victor Hugo‘s classic novel, Les Misérables. This novel is based on two primary moral paradoxes: (1) whether it was right or wrong for Jean Valjean to steal bread to feed his sister’s starving child, and (2) whether the good acts Jean Valjean performs while a fugitive erase the debt he owes to society? Paradoxes, like these, are perplexing and engaging for readers because they are forced to consider contradictory moral principles, while setting aside their natural tendencies to want to come to a final conclusion about whether the actions were right or wrong.

Some other effective elements that can be used in paradoxes include half-truths and biased assumptions. Consider the use of these tools in the following classic paradox:  A father and son are driving down the road. Their car collides with a light post killing the father and severely injuring the boy. The boy is rushed to the nearest hospital and prepared for surgery. Upon entering the surgery suite, the surgeon exclaims, “I cannot operate on this boy. He’s my son.” Are you trying to figure out how a dead father can operate on his son? If so, then this paradox has effectively performed its job! Happy head scratching!

Jacob

A simple metaphor can improve your writing by drawing vivid pictures in your reader’s mind, helping you to effectively communicate your thoughts and feelings. A metaphor’s power lies in its assertion of the similarities between the subject and the object of a sentence. The subject of the sentence borrows the attributes of the object by claiming that the subject is equal to the object. Thus, when using a metaphor, the subject only needs a brief description because it inherits the attributes of the object.

Consider this metaphor: Time is a thief. How well did I just describe time? What does this metaphor assert are the similarities between the subject and object of the sentence, time and a thief? This example illustrates how combining a few simple words in a simple metaphor can elicit powerful associations and emotions.

Every literary tool, including metaphors, should be used to enhance the elements of your story, such as the conflict, plot, setting, dialog, and achievements of the characters. Using metaphors appropriately will make your writing more interesting and entertaining. What is your favorite metaphor?

Jacob