An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory terms. It stops the reader and causes them to think, generating a new concept. Examples of oxymorons provided include "small crowd", "act naturally", and "tragic comedy". The document then provides several examples of oxymorons used in sentences, such as "silent scream", "eloquent silence", and "intense apathy". It notes that while the individual words have contradictory definitions, together they create a new meaning.

1. OXYMORON
A figure of speech in which
apparently contradictory terms
appear in conjunction.
awfully good
bittersweet
open secret

2. Examples
1. small crowd
crowd: a large
number of people
gathered together
a small number of people
gathered together
2. act naturally
3. tragic comedy
Note:
• When you look at each word’s separate definition, you will notice
the contradiction.
• It stops the reader short and causes them to
pause and think. The oxymoron generates a new
concept / meaning.

3. 1. silent scream
The quivering girl let out a silent scream when the
hooded figure lunged at the unsuspecting victim
and thrust a knife into his chest.
2. eloquent silence
The teacher stood in eloquent silence; the class
finally realised that he had no intention of going
on until someone ventured a guess.
Well-timed silence hath more
eloquence than speech.
Martin Farquhar Tupper
Day 1: 16 July 2014

4. 1. strangely familiar
Day 2: 17 July 2014
I could not recall ever having seen the man
before, yet there was something about him that
was strangely familiar.
2. organised chaos
Upon observing their practice sessions, we got
the impression of organised chaos as the
students moved around and worked in teams.

5. 1. intentional accident
Day 3: 18 July 2014
After an investigation revealed that the automobile
crash was an intentional accident, the insurance
company denied the policy holder’s claim for the loss
of his left leg.
2. unbiased opinion
The expert witness is expected to give an impartial,
unbiased opinion on matters within his or her
expertise.

6. 1. intense apathy
Day 4: 21 July 2014
The intense apathy towards the city’s destitute is
appalling.
2. abundant poverty
The lack of education, widespread unemployment
and abundant poverty have turned the country
into a target for human trafficking.

7. 1. working vacation
His trip to Bali was a working
vacation.
2. work-study program
The work-study program is a
popular option among the
students as it allows them to
work part of the time to
finance their education and
study part-time.
Day 5: 22 July 2014