Last Updated on March 17, 2020, by eNotes Editorial. Word Count: 134

Antithesis occurs when contrasting ideas are expressed in a sentence or line(s) with the effect of both highlighting the contrast and balancing the opposing elements. Writers typically use parallel structure in the contrasting phrases.

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Correct example:

• “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way.” (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities)

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