Literary term
Contrast
Setting differences side by side to highlight them and create meaning.
What it means
Contrast is the technique of setting different or opposite ideas, images, characters, settings or moods side by side so that the differences stand out. Placing light against dark, calm against chaos or kindness against cruelty sharpens the reader's sense of each quality. It often points towards a theme.
Contrast is closely related to juxtaposition, which is the specific act of positioning two things together. Contrast is the broader effect of difference that a writer builds throughout a text. It is one of the most versatile tools for creating meaning and interest.
Why it matters in the exam
In the reading and Literature papers, noticing contrast helps you explain how a writer structures a passage and directs the reader's judgement. Examiners reward you for explaining what a contrast reveals about character or theme, not just for spotting difference. In your own writing, deliberate contrast between calm and tension, or hope and despair, adds shape, drama and depth that a flat, even piece would lack.
Example
A warm, noisy family kitchen in one scene and a cold, silent office in the next let the contrast quietly say where a character truly belongs.
How to use it
Point to the two things being contrasted and name the quality that separates them. Then explain what the difference reveals or emphasises. Link it to character, mood or theme.
In your own writing, build contrast between scenes, characters or moods to create shape and meaning. Make sure the reader can see the difference you intend.
Unsure how "Contrast" earns marks? A trial hour with an experienced teacher shows it in a real answer.