1. A statement that appears to contradict itself.
Paradox
A statement that appears to contradict itself.

2. Warm Up
With your partner, look up the word contradiction in the dictionary.
Write a sentence using the word contradiction or contradictory in your journal.
Example: Your opinion today is a contradiction to the opinion you gave yesterday.
Synonym-different
You opinion today is different than the opinion you gave yesterday.

3. Definition
Paradox is a statement containing seemingly contradictory (different) or incompatible (they don’t go together) elements.
Example:
“Cowards die many times before their death.”
This is a paradox because you can only die one time.

4. Warm Up Cont. Tell your partner what you think this means.
“Cowards die many times before their deaths.”
I think this paradox means________.

5. Example "I know that I know nothing.“
If you know nothing, how can you know something? How can you know that you don’t know?

6. Example You can save money by spending it.
This is a paradox because saving and spending are different.
I think this paradox means that you can save money by making investments (by a house or stocks)

7. Whiteboards
Write the paradox on the whiteboard. Hint: Look for the two things that are opposites.
“Pablo is such a jerk. Deep down he is really shallow.”
The paradox is, “Deep down he is really shallow.”
What does this paradox mean?

8. Whiteboards
I understand the President’s position. We must go to war to make peace. It is the only answer.
What is the paradox in this text?
What does the paradox mean?

9. Partner Work
With your partner, find the paradox in the text below and write it in your journal. Then write one sentence explaining what you think the paradox means.
1) Jason and I got into another fight yesterday. I couldn’t believe what he told me. He said “I always tell lies.” How can I trust him?

10. Partner Work Cont.
2) As a child my family would spend a lot of time at the lake. My mom was always protective of us, even at the lake. When we were little she would say “Don’t go near the water until you know how to swim.”

11. Paradox "They have ears but hear not."
Turn to your partner and tell him/her what you think this means.
With your partner, write a similar paradox using the words eyes and see.

12. On your own
Independently write two sentences explaining how you know that "Less is more" is a paradox and what the paradox means.
“I know that less is more is a paradox because ________. This paradox means______________.”