Oxymoron
A figure of speech that combines two contradictory or opposite terms in a single phrase. Oxymorons create paradoxical meanings that highlight contrasts or create unusual effects.
Real World
Simon & Garfunkel's famous lyric 'The Sound of Silence' pairs contradictory concepts to suggest that silence itself communicates something powerful and emotionally charged.
Exam Focus
Explain how both contradictory elements contribute to a layered meaning — don't just identify the two opposing words.
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