Tools of Wit Blog

Pairing Opposites In a Speech

Antithesis is the placement of contrasting ideas close together,
particularly in the same positions of parallel phrases or clauses.
Antithesis is both easy to use and forceful. There are a number of
examples in the speeches presented in the Democratic and Republican
national conventions.

John McCain: I will cut government spending. He will increase it.
[Double antithesis: "I" vs. "He" and "cut government spending" vs.
"increase it." ]

John McCain: My tax cuts will create jobs; his tax increases will
eliminate them. [Double antithesis: "My" vs. "his" and "create jobs" vs.
"eliminate them." ]

John McCain: Now, my opponent promises to bring back old jobs by wishing
away the global economy. We're going to help workers who've lost a job
that won't come back find a new one that won't go away. [Two examples:
"my opponent promises..." vs. "We're going to..." and "a job that won't
come back" vs. "a new one that won't go away."]

Barack Obama: Individual responsibility and mutual responsibility...

Hillary Clinton:...change in this country must start from the ground up,
not the top down.

Hillary Clinton:[We don't need] more of a government where the
privileged come first and everyone else comes last.

Antithesis is popular, powerful, and easy. Try it yourself.

posted by TC @ 8:11 PM