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Paradox Presented by: Sara Parker and Amanda Melini Frederick: Writers Mind. What is a Paradox? . A Paradox is a statement that is inconsistent because it often contains two statements that are both true, which in general cannot both be true at the same time.
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ParadoxPresented by: Sara Parker and Amanda Melini Frederick: Writers Mind
What is a Paradox? A Paradox is a statement that is inconsistent because it often contains two statements that are both true, which in general cannot both be true at the same time.
Why is Paradox useful in writing? • Paradoxes have serious effects in the world of literature with reasons as they make statements that often sum up the main ideas of the work. • It is more interesting for a reader to have to carve out the meaning than to have it fed to them.
How can Paradox be difficult in writing? • Confusing for the reader and writer. • Many writers just want to get to the point and don’t want to be creative and use harder rhetorical devices. • Sometimes writers might have a hard time deciding on what paradox to use in their writing.
Example “Take some more tea”, the March Hare said to Alice, very earnestly. “I’ve had nothing yet”, Alice replied in an offended tone, “so I can’t take more”. “You mean you can’t take less”, said the Hatter: “It’s very easy to take more than nothing”. “Nobody asked your opinion,” said Alice. “Who’s making personal remarks now?” the Hatter asked triumphantly. – Lewis Caroll in “Alice in Wonderland”.
Examples from Literature • I must be cruel to be kind. - Shakespeare in "Hamlet". • All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others. - George Orwell. • A dog growls when it's angry, and wags its tail when it's pleased. Now I growl when I'm pleased and wag my tail when I'm angry. - The Cheshire Cat in Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland".
Example in Poetry What was today’s begun To look more like yesterday; And tomorrow was much Too early when it came. But then tomorrow shows More promise than today, That same day which will soon Transform into yesterday.
Examples in Poetry I am unique : yet still humane I am different : and yet the same I am male : yet, my tears hide I am old : yet young inside I am weak : yet am made strong I am equal : yet complement I am open : yet introspect I am open-eyed : who but I Sees life contrariwise
Writing Activity Using Paradox Directions: Write a five to ten line poem (about anything you want) using paradox based on what we have taught.