Identify the literary device for the information below: pairs of contradictory words aConceit bsimile cmetaphor dOxymoron

Break Down the Problem

1. Identify the key term in the question: "pairs of contradictory words."
2. Analyze the choices provided: conceit, simile, metaphor, and oxymoron.

Relevant Concepts

1. Conceit: An extended metaphor with a complex logic.
2. Simile: A figure of speech comparing two different things using "like" or "as."
3. Metaphor: A figure of speech that implies a comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as."
4. Oxymoron: A combination of contradictory or incongruous words (e.g., "deafening silence").

Analysis and Detail

• The question asks for a literary device that consists of contradictory words.
• A conceit does not fit as it refers more to an elaborate metaphor rather than contradictory pairs.
• Similes and metaphors compare things but do not involve contradictions.
• An oxymoron specifically involves the juxtaposition of contradictory terms, which aligns perfectly with the provided definition.

Verify and Summarize

• The definitions of all options point towards the correct answer being one that involves contradictory elements, which narrows down our choice to oxymoron.

Final Answer

The literary device that identifies "pairs of contradictory words" is d. Oxymoron.