Oxymoron Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: L.9-10.5.A

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

Oxymorons are figures of speech that contain words that are completely contradictory to one another. They are often two-word phrases. For example, when you are at the grocery store have you seen jumbo shrimp? Shrimp is the name of name of a crustacean, but it is also a slang term we use to refer to something that is very small. In literature oxymorons are often used to heighten drama or add a little comedy to a story. They are commonly used in both poetry and prose. You also find them more commonly used in written language, since they can be confusing when trying to communicate verbally. In this collection of worksheets students will identify and write their own oxymorons.

Oxymoron Worksheets To Print:

Contradictory Terms - Spot the examples in the sentences. Look for things that stand out as being loud.

Big Words - A little matching to get you started and then a sentence of your thoughts.

Term Match - There were so many requests for another version of the former, here is another for you.

What is an Oxymoron? - We ask you to actually explain it. Since you have the room, go deeper and explain why the author may have chose these words.

Drawing Lines - Some of these combinations could offer unintended match-ups that could actually work.

Create an Oxymoron - Fill in each blank to create an oxymoron. There are many different ways you can go after these.

Drawing A Blank... - Identify the oxymoron in each sentence. Write it on the line. You will see how many different dissimilar things you can put together.

Writing with Oxymorons - Use each oxymoron to form a complete sentence. The bigger the impact, the better.

Oxymorons in Literature - There is a lot going on in George Orwell's novel 1984. Some of the word pairs he uses are classics.

Quotable Oxymorons - Underline the oxymoron in each quotation below. Then explain the oxymoron.

A Contradictory Sentence - Fill in the blank to complete each oxymoron. You then use them in your own crafted sentences.

Oxymorons in Love - Read the passage. Then explain why Shakespeare uses so many oxymorons, and describe their effect.

In Passing - Identify and explain the oxymorons in each passage that is provided.

Oxymorons and Wit - Explain the underlined lines and why they are funny. A little dry humor, at times.

Creating Oxymorons - Use your imagination to fill in the blanks below to create your own oxymorons.

Why Authors Use Oxymorons


Oxymorons when taken literally make no sense whatsoever. They are not logical. Why would an author ever want to make no sense? There are many different reasons that most people overlook. The most common use is to add drama to a story. This can often be done by eluding to a quality of person or thing. A good example of this is when we are trying to say our neighbor is a person that we find annoying because they are very plain. You could describe your neighbor as being painfully pleasant. The reader would immediately understand your feelings towards you neighbor.


Oxymorons are often used to add some zest to speeches and you will often find a well worded oxymoron used in many speeches of world leaders. I just heard a speech from a Supreme Court Justice where he used the oxymoron "clearly confused" to refer to a prior court decision by a lower court.


Oxymorons are often used to add comedy and display wit. Some author will often use them to plant their flag with symbolism. My gym teacher in elementary school would always refer to me with an oxymoron by saying "You are the dumbest smart kid I have met." While most would take that as a blatant insult what he meant was that I was very studious, but not street smart. Looking back at that time in my life, he was spot on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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