Placing two opposing ideas side by side to highlight contrast is called?

• A. Foreshadowing
• B. Irony
• C. Allegory
• D. Juxtaposition

Answer: (D)

Juxtaposition is the technique of placing two opposing ideas, images, or situations next to each other to highlight their contrast. By pairing opposites—like light and dark, calm and chaos, or wealth and poverty—the writer makes the difference felt more sharply and often invites readers to think about the underlying relationship or theme. For example, showing a scene where a bustling, loud city sits beside a quiet, empty alley instantly emphasizes contrasts in mood and meaning.

Foreshadowing hints at what will happen later in the story. Irony involves a gap between what is expected and what actually occurs, or between appearance and reality. Allegory uses characters and events to symbolize a deeper moral or political message. The idea of contrasting elements shown together to stress that difference is exactly what juxtaposition describes.