A paradox is a statement or argument that seems to be contradictory or to go against common sense, but that is yet perhaps still truefor example, "less is more." Is oxymoronic a word? This stanza, from Lord Tennysons retelling of the tale of King Arthur, usesseveral oxymorons for poetic effect and as a way to emphasize the conundrum that Lancelot, Arthurs most loyal knight and friend, finds himself in. However, with applied thought, paradoxes make sense. (One, in particular, is in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, wherein combining things that contrast is an ongoing theme.) 100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons. Privacy Policy. Oxymoron is a figure of speech that uses two opposing words or contradictory words to convey a new idea. The sentences in this section feature oxymorons from the list above. It's really interesting to see how this figure of speech finds its way into everyday communication. When a single word contains two conflicting ideas. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Such a phrase shows that an object can have two different qualities at once, making it a subject for study and analysis. Alfred, Lord Tennyson, "Lancelot and Elaine" inIdylls of the King. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. "100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons." An oxymoron is usually just two words (sometimes one, as in bittersweet), but a paradox is an entire statement, usually a standalone sentence or even a fullparagraph. to compound the power behind certain words. It is also comedic in terms of behavior, both in terms of a man acting like a child or a child behaving like a man.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'literarydevices_net-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_15',131,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-literarydevices_net-large-mobile-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'literarydevices_net-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_16',131,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-literarydevices_net-large-mobile-banner-1-0_1');.large-mobile-banner-1-multi-131{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. Learn more. The most commonly-used example of an oxymoron is 'jumbo shrimp,' as a shrimp is small by definition and therefore cannot be jumbo. Oxymorons are common, often unconscious, literary devices. ), so this article explains everything you need to know. Oxymorons combine contradictory words, but paradoxes combine contradictory ideas. PDF. There are a number of single-word oxymorons built from "dependent morphemes"[9] (i.e. Season 1, Episode 1. The lyrics of this powerful piano ballad make use of several oxymorons. doug lamborn voting record June 23, 2022 the word nascar is an oxymoron How to use each word. Need more help with this topic? This presents the word silence in a unique way thats particularly expressive. In other words, oxymorons are contradictive words or phrases used intentionally to create an effect. But in some instances, a single word is all it takes. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(360031, '21006efe-96ea-47ea-9553-204221f7f333', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. These lines come from the hit 2013 song "All of Me" recorded by John Legend. William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, A damned saint, an honorable villain! To save this word, you'll need to log in. The word oxymoron is itself an oxymoron; in Greek, oxy- means "sharp" or "wise," while moros means "foolish." Is an oxymoron always 2 words? Keep going to discover even more. The Italian pianoforte or fortepiano is an example from a Western language; the term is short for gravicembalo col piano e forte, as it were "harpiscord with a range of different volumes", implying that it is possible to play both soft and loud (as well as intermediate) notes, not that the sound produced is somehow simultaneously "soft and loud". One classic example of the use of oxymorons in English literature can be found in this example from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, where Romeo strings together thirteen in a row: O brawling love! That noun combines sophos, the Greek adjective meaning wise, with its intellectual opposite mros, meaning foolish.. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The best way to make money is to spend money. Seeing these oxymoron examples used in the context of sentences may provide a better idea of how and why they're used. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'oxymoron.' 6789 Quail Hill Pkwy, Suite 211 Irvine CA 92603. nt authority local system. If Holdens claim is that he is wonderful at being an untruthful person, then he casts doubt as to the truth of his own statement to the reader about being a terrific liar as well. More than a few have even become commonplace expressions in modern-day English, such as these oxymoron examples: As with other literary devices like metaphor, onomatopoeia, and hyperbole, oxymorons have a few different purposes in writing, all of which are quite useful in the right situation: As a contradiction of terms, an oxymoron both stands out and also elicits critical thinking. One example of a paradox is the following conflicting idea. Combining the idea of before and after leads to a word that describes something that makes so little sense that it leaves you shaking your head. As rhetorical devices, oxymorons have been used in many different mediums from political speeches to novels to stage plays. And faith unfaithful kept him falsely true. How every letter can be (annoyingly) silent, Helping you navigate the linguistic road ahead. But pairing it with deafening gives silence a very distinct meaning, comparing it to a loud noise that draws extra attention. Saying that a picture or a scene is "painfully beautiful" calls attention to the speaker and the object of inquiry. up next, we take a look at oxymoron examples in sentences from literature and pop culture. With good, and bad, and worse, alike prolific, Too much of one sort would be soporific;. When someone says a phrase such as "clearly confused," the speaker is finding a new way to describe that individual or object. The dictionary defines an oxymoron as a "wittily paradoxical turn of phrase that appeals to 'unconscious responses' instead of rational examinations". Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Score, our in-depth guide to the 31 literary devices you must know. As a literary device, oxymoron has the effect of creating an impression, enhancing a concept, and even entertaining the reader. Check out the oxymoron definition. the word nascar is an oxymoron 03 Jun. So elements that mean great and small combine to form a noun for a place to pick up your provisions. Yes! A paradox is a statement or argument that seems to be contradictory or to go against common sense, but that is yet perhaps still truefor example, "less is more.". [3], The term oxymoron is first recorded as Latinized Greek oxymrum, in Maurus Servius Honoratus (c. AD 400);[4] it is derived from the Greek word okss "sharp, keen, pointed"[5] and mros "dull, stupid, foolish";[6] as it were, "sharp-dull", "keenly stupid", or "pointedly foolish". Accessed 4 Mar. affordable home builders cape coral, fl. Crustacean. Here's an example from Francesco Petrarch, the creator of the form: We provide informative and helpful articles about the newest fiction and nonfiction books on the market that you can come back to again and again when you have the urge for a new book to dig into. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), Palindrome Examples: Words and Phrases That Are the Same Backwards and Forwards, The Most Confusing Rules in the Grammar World, Pangram Examples Every Word Lover Will Appreciate, Stock Your Spring Closet with 12 Dresses Under $100, More Than 300 Words Were Just Added to Dictionary.com, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, The Sound of Silence: Song by Simon & Garfunkel, All your perfect imperfections: John Legend in his song All of Me, Clara Barton: I distinctly remember forgetting that., Isaac Bashevis Singer: We must believe in free will. the word nascar is an oxymoron. What is an oxymoron? Therefore, the reader is left in some suspense to wonder what events or feelings would result in such a response received by the character.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'literarydevices_net-leader-1','ezslot_13',129,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-literarydevices_net-leader-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'literarydevices_net-leader-1','ezslot_14',129,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-literarydevices_net-leader-1-0_1');.leader-1-multi-129{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. By extension, oxymorons deal with the contrast between the meanings of words, but paradoxes focus on the contrast between complete ideas. All rights reserved. Find 52 ways to say OXYMORON, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com, the world's most trusted free thesaurus. "with the hinder part before", compare hysteron proteron, "upside-down", "head over heels", "ass-backwards" etc. RELATED: Palindrome Examples: Words and Phrases That Are the Same Backwards and Forwards, RELATED: The Most Confusing Rules in the Grammar World, RELATED:The Best-Ever Hyperbole Examples, RELATED: Pangram Examples Every Word Lover Will Appreciate. Consider the oxymoron example deafening silence. Therefore, Salinger cleverly calls into question Holdens reliability as a narrator through just this figure of speech. ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score, How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League, Is the ACT easier than the SAT? Many oxymora are simple to understand and interpret their hidden meaning. Value Added Publishing. 1828 Words at Play Internal Conflict: The One-Word Oxymoron When a single word contains two conflicting ideas. Oxymoron can enhance drama in writing. Sign up for our weekly newsletters and get: By signing in, you agree to our Terms and Conditions Oxymoron definition, a figure of speech by which a locution produces an incongruous, seemingly self-contradictory effect, as in "cruel kindness" or "to make haste slowly." See more. Here are some examples of oxymoron that may be found in everyday expression: insertListLink('', 2, 2, 'shortexamples'). [19], "Comical oxymoron" is a term for the claim, for comical effect, that a certain phrase or expression is an oxymoron (called "opinion oxymorons" by Lederer (1990)[9]). Bittersweet is the word for a pleasant feeling that is nonetheless marked by sadness or regret, such as the feeling one might have upon graduating from school, where many friendships were made. Thus the word oxymoron is itself an oxymoron. It may seem illogical or unrealistic, but, upon reflection, its based in reality and stems from valid reasoning. But once you become fluent in English, it's easy to recognize such oxymorons for the figures of speech that they are. If you're learning English as a second language, you might be confused by these figures of speech. Take a look at which ones you have used in conversation: the word nascar is an oxymoron. mars 15, 2021 . O heavy lightness, serious vanity! Read literally, they contradict themselves. Bittersweet When we think of oxymorons, we often think of two-word phrases with seemingly opposite components, like "alone together" or "sweet sorrow." The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points, How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer. All Rights Reserved. "proud humility" (Spenser),[13] Heres a tip: Want to make sure your writing shines? When you're ready to graduate from oxymorons to symbolism, enjoy these examples of symbolism in literature. Mom, and True Lies.. However, the terms are also complementary as a pair. But if the statement is true, then it cant be false, despite the fact it claims to be! 2020, Preposterous suggests the idea of conflict in its meaning: contrary to nature, reason, or common sense, as in a preposterous notion.. Discussed by L. Coltheart in Moira Gatens, "This opened up an oxymoron too dreadful to contemplate: affordable caviar" (, Last edited on 21 February 2023, at 22:29, Word Ways: The Journal of Recreational Linguistics, http://snltranscripts.jt.org/75/75acarlin2.phtml, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Oxymoron&oldid=1140812370, This page was last edited on 21 February 2023, at 22:29. Oxymorons are often used poetically as a way of bringing out a fresh meaning in a word or phrase. We already gave an oxymoron definition above, so here lets talk about paradoxes. The juicy bone is a contrast in its own phrasing, as well as a contrasting image with the coffin and the implied corpses bones inside. An oxymoron refers to a word, phrase, or use of language that seems to directly contradict itself, and it is. "A figure of speech in which a pair of opposed or markedly contradictory terms are placed in conjunction for emphasis", "closely related to hysteron proteron, it shouldn't be, "Hosted for 33 years by the conservative intellectual William F. Buckley Jr., the show [. The humour derives from implying that an assumption (which might otherwise be expected to be controversial or at least non-evident) is so obvious as to be part of the lexicon. The combining form oxy- is present in the word oxygen. Grammarly helps you communicate confidently. Instead, it takes linguistic skill in knowing which words, though opposing, will work together to have an effect on the reader. the word nascar is an oxymoron the word nascar is an oxymoron. "A lot of people never use their initiative because no-one told them to.". The audience was a failure. You mightve heard of another literary device called the paradox, which is similar but not identical to the oxymoron. Website, Richard Nordquist defines oxymorons as a literary device used by writers and poets for centuries "to describe life's inherent conflicts and incongruities.". Think jumbo shrimp. It comes from the Greek words osks, meaning sharp or keen, and mors meaning dull or foolish. The word "oxymoron" is itself an oxymoron. Nordquist, Richard. Their dramatic effect is much more powerful with sparing use. Oxymorons have been used for millennia. Smiles are rarely associated with pain. - Contact Us - Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions, Definition and Examples of Literary Terms, Little Bighorn Battlefield (national monument in Montana), CatDog (American animated television series), Big Little Lies (book by Liane Moriarty, adapted into television series for HBO), Quotes from a Devout Atheist (compilation book of Richard Dawkins quotes), Waking Dream (American documentary film), You cant have more types of fake news than real news. (Elon Musk), Im nobody! This is especially achieved if the word pairing reveals intensity or a great difference in quality. In speech, oxymorons can lend a sense of humor, irony, or sarcasm. Not monosyllabic or one word, but I came upon an "oxymoron that isn't" in a book I am reading, The Pale King, David Foster Wallace (posthumous): "spectacularly dull."It turns out this phrase is pretty common. Write with Grammarly. Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here: PrepScholar 2013-2018. ), so this article explains everything you need to know. The scope of oxymorons, however, is limited only to the scope of the individual words used. Some oxymorons are accidental and/or so common in our speech that we dont realize that theyre totally contradictory. Consider the common oxymorons and think about times they may have been included in conversations you have had. 'Simile' and 'metaphor' are just the beginning. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. As a literary device, oxymoron has the effect of creating an impression, enhancing a concept, and even entertaining the reader. Or plastic silverware. A simpler meaning would be that, it is a set of consecutive words that express conflicting meanings. There is, we regret to inform you, no commonly used verb form of the word. Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com, allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. Common examples of oxymorons include cruel kindness, open secret, and jumbo shrimp . While an oxymoron is the combination of two contradictory/opposite words in a single sentence, a paradox is an entire phrase/sentence that appears contradictory but, upon further investigation, could be true or plausible. The word "oxymoron" is an oxymoron itself and derives from the . Now that weve gone over what an oxymoron is, lets take a closer look at four famous oxymoron examples in sentences to better understand how this literary device actually works. your text, so your work is extra polished wherever you write. Take this sentence, for example: There are two oxymorons in this sentence: "minor crisis" and "only choice." These word pairs, though actually opposite in meaning, are put together so that the meaning that they are trying to put forward is emphasized. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. They are known as oxymora, and in this article, you will find an oxymoron list, which will give you some really good and yet, funny oxymora so that you can understand the concept better. However, others can be intentional: For instance, in the phrase deafening silence, the seeming contradiction only serves to emphasize the intensity of the silence. In a more extended sense, the term "oxymoron" has also been applied to inadvertent or incidental contradictions, as in the case of "dead metaphors" ("barely clothed" or "terribly good"). An oxymoron is an opposition between a term and the qualification that is given it, or between two qualities attributed to a single term, or between the simultaneous denial and assertion of the same fact or concept. Meghan graduated from Marist College with a Bachelor of Arts in English in 2017; her creative nonfiction piece Anticipation was published in the Spring 2017 issue of Angles literary magazine. The scholarship instructions state that I should submit an, I asked Steve to go to the dance with me. And, of course, plenty of people use oxymorons intentionally for humorous effect. Oftentimes a phrase cited as an example of an oxymoron is really just a play on words. Are you Nobody too? (, Ordinary riches can be stolen; real riches cannot. (, Vidia was complicated, two fairies in one, a loyal traitor. (Gail Carson Levine). An Oxymoron is a combination of contradictory or incongruous words, such as 'Cruel Kindness' or 'Jumbo Shrimp' Generally, the ideas will come as two separate words placed side by side. The word "oxymoron" is derived from Greek a combination of oxy- meaning keen or sharp and -mrs meaning dull or foolish. "damn with faint praise" (Pope),[15] Check out the funniest accidental, and intentional, malapropism examples as well. There are oxymorons throughout the alphabet, from "a" to "z." "wise-foolish"). Like other kinds of figurative language, oxymorons (or oxymora) are often found in literature. Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox! One example of a skillful oxymoron isreal fake. Oxymoron is a word that describes an expression of two contradictory thoughts, words, or phrases. However, as there are so many, you might not catch them all. Instead, meaning should be derived from the context in which an oxymoron is used. oxymoron: 1 n conjoining contradictory terms (as in `deafening silence') Type of: figure , figure of speech , image , trope language used in a figurative or nonliteral sense Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! While we are loath to place restrictions on language use, oxymoron usually refers to a set of contradictory words (such as bittersweet) rather than to a contradictory person. An oxymoron is a figure of speech, usually one or two words, in which seemingly contradictory terms appear side by side. the word nascar is an oxymoron. Oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines two normally contradictory terms think "deafening silence," "wise fool" or "cruel kindness.". An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory words with opposing meanings, like old news, deafening silence, or organized chaos. Oxymorons may seem illogical at first, but in context they usually make sense. marekuliasz / iStock / Getty Images Plus. It makes more sense when you read the thrift in spendthrift as a noun that can refer to the savings that one has accumulated through the careful management of money. The Greek expression "to oxymoron" refers, literally, to the "acutely mad". Grammarly helps you communicate confidently What ACT target score should you be aiming for? Your writing, at its best These 50+ oxymoron examples are listed alphabetically and arranged by category (i.e., the type of oxymoron word combination). 'when they are silent, they cry out'), Like a paradox, an oxymoron is whats known as a contradiction in terms, although oxymorons and paradoxes are two different things, as explained below. Bringing them together into one phrase can produce a verbally puzzling, yet engaging, effect. Yes. Here are some of the more famous oxymoron examples from historical literature: With loads of learned lumber in his head . Oscar Wilde. O loving hate! In its original Italian, chiaro means clear or light, while oscuro means obscure or dark., One ambitious curator went for a whole Caravaggio, The Supper at Emmaus, using clever kitchen lighting for some real-life chiaroscuro. Alexander Pope, An Essay on Criticism, Of melancholy merriment, to quote. no longer a productive compound in English, but loaned as a compound from a different language), as with pre-posterous (lit. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines two seemingly contradictory or opposite ideas to create a certain rhetorical or poetic effect and reveal a deeper truth. Copyright 2023 Literary Devices. An oxymoron is a conjoined pair of (seemingly) contradictory terms, e.g.deafening silence, pretty ugly, same difference, silent scream, or jumbo shrimp. Or plastic silverware. Oxymorons in the narrow sense are a rhetorical device used deliberately by the speaker, and intended to be understood as such by the listener. However, with an oxymoron the incongruous word pairing conveys a truth or a dramatic result. the word nascar is an oxymoron mars 15, 2021 by 0 Comments 0 View. Oxymoron Definitions The dictionary definition of oxymoron is:- A rhetorical figure of speech in which contradictory terms are paired, for example, alone together, current history or boneless ribs. Here are some well-known and recognizable examples of this figure of speech: People are often confused by the difference between oxymoron and paradox. That might be a bit of an exaggeration, but there are certainly more than just a few. It starts with super, which it gets from supermarket. "expressive silence" (Thomson, echoing Cicero's Latin: cum tacent clamant, lit. The main difference between an oxymoron and a paradox is that oxymorons use contradictory words whereas paradoxes use contradictory ideas. Highlighting their differences accentuates their meaning and the words come across stronger. insertListLink('', 1, 2, 'endfirsth2'). Copyright Penlighten & Buzzle.com, Inc. Oxymoron phrases can be figuratively true, but not literally true. Think jumbo shrimp. However, liar has negative connotations, as in someone who is untruthful or deceptive. Oxymorons are often used poetically as a way of bringing out a fresh meaning in a word or phrase. However, a bone may seem juicy to a dog that is salivating at the thought of chewing it. These word pairings are not inherently opposite, but their individual concepts can seem contradictory when combined. As a literary device, it is used to make certain word combinations more thought-provoking to stand out. Oxymoron is a figure of speech pairing two words together that are opposing and/or contradictory. the word nascar is an oxymoron. The term "oxymoron" is itself an oxymoron as it derives from the Greek "oxus" (sharp) and "moros" (stupid). With loads of learned lumber in his head . Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)right to your inbox. For example, if a character is described as a man child, this oxymoron calls up a humorous image of a child that looks like a man or vice-versa. This figure of speech is clever in that utilizing the word real to describe something that is fake actually lends a sense of truth and authenticity to something that is, by nature, untrue and inauthentic. The common oxymoron phrase is a combination of an adjective followed by a noun with contrasting meanings. Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Idylls of the King, Parting is such sweet sorrow. Review the example sentences below to get a better sense of how oxymorons can be used in sentences and dialogue. That makes oxymorons a serious option in word choice. "i find nothing more depressing than optimism.". Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone. Well also provide you with an extensive list of oxymoronsso you can get a better feel for what oxymorons look and sound like. Samuel Johnson defined it as, "a rhetorical figure in which an epithet of a quite contrary signification is added to any word or phrase creating a contradiction in terms.". They are "word searches" and matching puzzles. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Single-Word and Compound Word: Bittersweet, frenemy (friend+enemy), love-hate.Adjective + Noun: Sweet sorrow (made famous by William . Instead, they want to be witty and show they can use words to make people laugh. For even more examples of oxymorons in sentences, take a look at these examples of funny oxymoron quotes. They add flavour to speech and can also be cynical, sarcastic, or witty and used for comic effect or relief. ", Oxymorons have been used since the days of the ancient Greek poets. Generally, an oxymoron phrase is a . As with other rhetorical devices, oxymorons are used for a variety of purposes. One oxymoron example is "deafening silence," which describes a silence that is so overpowering it almost feels deafening, or extremely loudjust as an actual sound would. Well go over exactly what an oxymoron is and then show you four oxymoron examples from pop culture and literature. We recommend our users to update the browser. An oxymoron is a figure of speech pairing two antithetical or contradictory concepts. An oxymoron is also a noun that's defined as "a figure of speech by which a locution produces an incongruous, seemingly self-contradictory effect, as in 'cruel kindness' or 'to make haste slowly.'" So when contradictory or opposing words are combined, that expression is an oxymoron. On its own silence is fairly neutralit can be calm or tense, depending on the context. Oxymoronically is the adverbial form of the word. Like. Like a paradox, an oxymoron is whats known as a contradiction in terms, although oxymorons and paradoxes are two different things, as explained below. J. R. R. Tolkien interpreted his own surname as derived from the Low German equivalent of dull-keen (High German toll-khn) which would be a literal equivalent of Greek oxy-moron. My play was a complete success. An oxymoron is a phrase made of two or more words that actually have opposite meanings. The reader must momentarily pause to comprehend and process the meaningin other words, oxymorons make the reader think. Rowdy, a new documentary on Amazon Freevee, tells the story of NASCAR driver Kyle Busch's life and career, largely focused on his chase for the 2015 Cup Series Championship. In this poem, Lord Byron uses the oxymoron melancholy merriment to describe the feelings and connections between sadness and joy. Superette might not strike you as the most obvious oxymoron. Oxymoron. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oxymoron. josh brener commercial. They're not always small, and the word doesn't mean small in this sense. This presents the word. Check out the oxymoron definition. Writers and poets have used it for centuries as a literary device to describe life's inherent conflicts and incongruities. "darkness visible" (Milton), As a rhetorical device, an oxymoron illustrates a point to communicate and reveal a paradox. Sometimes they're used to create a little bit of drama for the reader; sometimes they're used to make a person stop and think, whether that's to laugh or to wonder. The term chiaroscuro, used in Renaissance painting, refers to the transition from light to shadow across an object (such as a muscled arm) to create the perception of depth.