Paradox

A paradox is a statement that appears to contradict itself or defy logic, yet on reflection reveals a deeper truth. An oxymoron squeezes a contradiction into a short phrase. A paradox usually works across a whole sentence or idea, such as the thought that we must sometimes be cruel to be kind.

The apparent impossibility makes the reader stop and think, and the resolution of the puzzle often carries the writer's real insight. Paradox is common in poetry, drama and reflective prose, where ideas are examined rather than simply reported.

In Literature, paradox signals a theme worth exploring, because it holds two truths in tension and invites interpretation. Explaining how a paradox resolves shows examiners you can handle ideas, not just spot devices. In discursive or reflective writing, a carefully framed paradox can make a point memorable and thoughtful.

Remember to explain the deeper truth behind it.

"The busier she became, the emptier her days felt" seems contradictory. But it captures how activity can hide a real lack of meaning.

Quote the paradox and explain the surface contradiction first, then unfold the deeper truth it points to. Connect that truth to the text's theme or the speaker's situation. Avoid leaving the contradiction unexplained; the marks come from resolving it.

In your own writing, always follow a paradox with the insight that makes sense of it.

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