How many forms of contrast are there? There are three: the single, the double, and the triple.
What is the single contrast? The single contrast is where one word, phrase, or sentence is contrasted with another; as,
Helen was not a sinner, but a sufferer, and our feeling for her should not be one of hatred, but of compassion.
—Gorgias
The sentence gives two examples of the single contrast, “sinner” being opposed to “sufferer” and “hatred” opposed to “compassion.”
What is the double contrast? The double contrast is where two words or phrases are contrasted with a like number of words or phrases; as,
In fact it is a universal law, not that the stronger should yield to the weaker, but the weaker to the stronger; that the stronger should lead, and the weaker follow.
—Gorgias
In this example, “stronger,” the first time it is used, is contrasted with “weaker” the second time it is used, and the first “weaker” with the second “stronger.” In the second phrase, “stronger” is contrasted with “weaker,” and “lead” with “follow.”
The double contrast requires, as a rule, that the first member should be given the falling inflection, the second the rising, the third the rising, and the fourth the falling, thus bringing the first and the third, the second and the fourth, in contrast; as,