Estimated reading time 2 minutes
Table of Contents
Introduction
Do you want to know what an oxymoron is? Do you need help writing them? The word oxymoron sounds like it’s something you’d use to insult someone. However, it’s a major literary figure of speech that can add ironic fun to your writing, songwriting, and poems. Keep reading What Is an Oxymoron and How to Write It to learn what it is and how it works.
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What Is an Oxymoron and How to Write It: What Is It?
What’s an oxymoron?
- It’s a figure of speech that juxtaposes two words that seem to say the opposite thing.
- Thus, it creates a funny or thought-provoking image.
- According to Oregon State University, it comes from the Greek words “oxus” and “moros,” which mean sharp and dumb, i.e., pointedly stupid.
It’s a major literary trope that’s used in every type of writing.
What Is an Oxymoron and How to Write It: How Do I Create Them?
The next section has an example list of oxymorons, but you’ll have to dig deep to come up with original ones.
- When you start writing, you’ll need to think about two terms that are opposite but can have a new meaning when put together.
- For example, planned pandemonium creates an image of seemingly chaotic industry that is actually tightly controlled.
- In the song The Sound of Silence, Paul Simon uses the oxymoron in the title as social commentary.
The reason it’s so important to come up with original ideas is that an oxymoron should come out of nowhere and startle or even shock you.
- Plus, the image needs to be paradoxical or at least seem that way.
- It all depends on what you’re going for. Do you want it to be ironic, funny, or to highlight a point?
- Whatever the case, it works best when it moves your audience’s emotions.
After all, that’s the whole point when you write prose, songs, or poems – to make people feel something.
Mobile users: for best results viewing the video, rotate your screen 90o to the right.
Video: The Sound of Silence
What Is an Oxymoron and How to Write It: A List of Example Oxymorons
Here are some common oxymorons.
- Act naturally
- Awfully good
- Bitter sweet
- Clearly confused
- Deafening silence
- Living dead
- Original copies
- Sweet sorrow
- Seriously funny
- Virtual reality
Here are some resources to help you with your poetry and songwriting.
Final Thoughts
Takeaway points:
- An oxymoron is a figure of speech that juxtaposes two words that seem to say the opposite thing.
- When you start writing, you need to think about two terms that are opposite but can have a new meaning when put together.
- Plus, the image needs to be paradoxical or at least seem that way.
Have fun writing!
Related Posts
- Writing Well Crafted Songs
- How to Use Lit Slang in Songwriting
- How to Transform a Poem into a Powerful Song
© 2025 Geoffrey Keith
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