An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory terms. It can be used to create new meanings, add emphasis, or make readers think. Some examples of oxymorons provided in the document include "silent scream", "open secret", "bittersweet", and "deafening silence".

1. OXYMORON

2. Oxymoron
Derived from Greek words :
Oxy -> Sharp
Moros -> Dull

3. Oxymoron
• A figure of speech in which two contradictory
terms are combined.
• A phrase in which two words with opposite
meaning appear side by side.

4. Oxymorons make readers think
A writer uses Oxymoron
•to create new meaning - silent scream /
growing smaller / pretty ugly /
•To add emphasis –

5. Open secret
Something which is supposedly a secret but
actually known quite generally
It was an open secret that Selina would be the next
president of the Student Council. She is well liked
by others and has all the qualities of a good leader.
Bittersweet
Pleasant but tinged with sadness
It was a bittersweet farewell for John. Although he
was glad he had made the decision to leave the
company, he knew in his heart that he would
definitely miss his lovely colleagues.
Day 1 - 09/07/13

6. Deafening silence
A silence or lack of response that reveals
something significant, such as disapproval or lack
of enthusiasm
The suggestion that they work through the holidays
was met with deafening silence. Many of the
workers had looked forward to the break to spend
time with their families.
a living death
a life that is so full of suffering that it would be
better to be dead
After the tragic accident Sally cannot walk,
feed herself or even speak. It is a living
death for someone who used to be so
outgoing and adventurous.
Day 2 - 10/07/13

7. Defensive strike
An attack launched to prevent an enemy from
attacking first
Many military advisors are working hard to
convince the President to launch a defensive strike
on Zudu as they are concerned with the country’s
frequent missile testing.
Stand down
To leave or abandon a position
Joe was forced to stand down from his position as
class chairman when it was discovered that he
was involved in the recent spate of theft in class.
Day 3 - 11/07/13

8. Paid volunteer
Someone who is paid to participate as a subject in
clinical trials or lab experiments
Although Sharon had earned a considerable amount
of cash as a paid volunteer at a pharmaceutical
company, she often worried about the side effects
of the medication she would get in the long term.
Irregular pattern
A pattern that is not fixed
Jim was paranoid about his health when he
realised that his heard had been beating an
irregular pattern. Every time his heart skipped a
beat he thought that he was having a heart attack.
Day 4 - 12/07/13

9. Appear invisible
To be unnoticeable or hidden from others
Joshua changed his chat status in Facebook to
appear invisible as he did not want to be
distracted by his friends’ messages while he was
studying.
Found missing
Discovered to be missing / not around
Three police cars were dispatched to comb the
coastline of East Coast Park after a two year old
girl was found missing from her family’s barbecue
party by the beach.
Day 5 - 13/07/13

10. Terribly pleased
Extremely satisfied and happy
George was terribly pleased that the day was
finally going according to plan. He has had a rough
week and had felt like giving up many times.
Love hate
A relationship in which your feelings about
someone or something often alternate between
love and hate
I have to admit I have a love hate relationship with
running. I go through phases of really not enjoying
it, followed by being almost obsessed by it.
Day 6 - 16/07/13

11. Plastic glass
Cups made of plastic
Dave has replaced all his drinking cups at home
with plastic glasses ever since his wife picked up
the habit of throwing things at him from the
kitchen whenever she got angry.
Fully empty
Not containing anything
Remember to make sure that the flask is fully
empty before you add in the solution. Even adding
a tiny droplet of water will trigger a powerful
chemical reaction.
Day 7- 17/07/13

12. Big baby
Someone who is behaving or acting childishly
The tutor told Kevin not to be such a big baby
when he complained about having too much
homework.
Act normally
To be yourself, to be relaxed
When you meet someone for the first time it is
advisable that you act naturally instead of trying
to be someone you are not.
Day 8 - 18/07/13

13. Even odds
A fifty-fifty chance that a particular thing will
happen
The school rugby team has even odds of making
it to the semi-final of the tournament. Their next
opponent is Bukit Batok Secondary and the two
teams are evenly matched in all areas.
Tragic comedy
A drama combining elements of tragedy and
comedy
Many of Shakespeare’s plays can be called a
tragic comedy as he had infused much humour
in some of his tragic tales.
Day 9- 19/07/13

14. Small crowd
A small number of people gathering
A small crowd had gathered at the foot of the
block where the body was found. The rest of
the neighbours were too afraid to look at the
gory scene.
Original copy
The original piece / not a duplicate
The graduating classes were told that they
could enter the exam hall only if they produce
an original copy of their O level entry proof.
Day 10 - 22/07/13