Using contrast in writing

 

In arts, contrast is used by having opposite or differing visual elements stand next to each other to create visual interest, depth, and a focal point. You can see this theory used in practice in many different paintings and drawings. 

Writing also uses contrast as a tool to catch the reader's interest and add depth to the scene. There are several ways how you can do it, and we'll go through them right away. I just have to say: this technique is something I didn't know before, and I feel like it opened a whole new level of writing for me. I can't wait to try it out.

CONTRASTIC SCENES

One way of using contrast in writing is to put two contrastic scenes next to each other. What do I mean by that? Well, let's look at the example: we have a battle scene, with soldiers screaming and arrows cutting the air. It's a really heavy, dynamic scene. And once it ends, we switch to a nearby village, where the daughter of the farmer is swiping the floors, humming something to herself. This scene is warm, slow and chill.

So what happens, when those two scenes are put after one another? Both of them are highlighted. The battleground setting is now even harsher, even more loud and dynamic, and the calm village setting is even warmer and slower than before. It's like using black and white in painting - you notice them more, when they're next to each other.

If you include too many similar scenes close to each other, they can start blurring together and the reader's attention decreases. Look out for that.

CONTRAST WITHIN A SCENE

Another way to use contrast theory in writing is to include the contrasting elements within one scene. Let's look at the example: it's a beautiful, warm spring day. The sky is cloudless, and flowers are fighting their way up towards the sun. And then, there's a couple fighting nastily, throwing insults around. Quite a slap, isn't it? That's contrast. 

If the same couple was fighting on a rainy, cloudy day, with wind wheezing through the corridors, the fight wouldn't stand out so much.

CONTRAST IN CHARACTERS

This one shouldn't come as a surprise: humans can be quite contrasting. Just look at siblings, how different they can be, as one wonders how are they even related. But we don't need to compare two people to see contrast; one person can be full of them just as well.

Let's take a look at a hypothetical singer, Diva. She's confident, energetic and bubbly when on stage, performing her newest songs. That same person can be a shy, moody and nerdy girl with relationship problems in her casual day to day life. 

Contrasts add realism to characters.

CONTRAST IN SETTING

Yes, even here there's a way to play with contrast. One example of it would be the use of long and short sentences. There are writers who prefer to write in long, flowing sentences, and writers who prefer sharp and straight to the point kind of writing. We can mix the two together, creating contrast in setting.

The sun was already high in the sky, and the river rolled leisurely, with rabbits running by its sides, and wind blowing lazily. I stood there, crying.

That's just one of the examples. The use of the long sentence before a short one highlighted the latter, which caught us by surprise.

That was a bit about contrast in writing. Of course, we can find it and implement it in other places, too. Get creative and play with the concept next time you sit down to write.

Inspired by "Essential guide to writing a novel", episode 135.