Which term describes contrasting of ideas by a parallel arrangement of words, phrases, or clauses, expressing the opposite of the thesis?

• A. Allusion
• B. Antithesis
• C. Analogy
• D. Anecdote

Answer: (B)

Antithesis is a rhetorical device that places contrasting ideas in a parallel, balanced structure. This pairing makes the opposing concepts stand out, emphasizing the difference by presenting them side by side in the same rhythm or construction. A classic example is a sentence that says, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” which contrasts two opposite states within a symmetrical frame. The description in the question—contrasting ideas arranged in a parallel way to express the opposite of the thesis—fits this device exactly.

Allusion refers to a reference to something else, not a deliberate contrast in structure. Analogy is a comparison used to show similarity between two things. Anecdote is a short personal story. None of these capture the deliberate opposing pairing in a balanced form the way antithesis does.