what is juxtaposition

Juxtaposition is the act of placing two elements close together or side by side, often to compare or contrast them, to show similarities or differences, or to create an interesting effect. It is a literary device that uses contrast to create meaning, and it can be a tool to enhance writing. Juxtaposition can occur in various fields, such as speech, visual perception, and literature. In literary terms, juxtaposition is the showing of contrast by concepts placed side by side. An example of juxtaposition is the quotes "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country" and "Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate," both by John F. Kennedy, who particularly liked juxtaposition as a rhetorical device. Juxtaposition can also be used in visual arts, such as photography, to create contrast and highlight differences between objects or concepts.