A good presentation technique is the rule of three.
The rule of three is based on the technique that people tend to remember three things. In oratoration it comes up all the time. So by repeating something three times or using the alliteration with three words, a quite ordinary speech becomes quite emotive.
Good speeches are peppered with lists with three items
1. “Friends, Romans, Countrymen” – William Shakespeare in Julius Caesar
2. “Blood, sweat and tears” – General Patton
3. Our priorities are “Education, Education, Education” – Prime Minister, Tony Blair
They are used in religion…
1. “Father, Son and Holy Spirit”
2. “Faith, Hope and Charity”
… in Public Safety
1. “Stop, Look and Listen”
… and in the film industry
1. “The good, the bad and the ugly”
2. “Sex, lies and videotape”
Putting it simply if you want your message to be remembered put it into a list of three.
Think about – if there are only three points that I would like to leave my audience with, what would they be? And then use no more than three themes per slide.
Here are more examples of the rule of three.
“Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”
– the American Declaration of Independence
“Government of the people, by the people, for the people”
– the Gettysburg Address
“There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics”
– Benjamin Disraeli
“This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning”
– Sir Winston Churchill
“Never before in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many, to so few”
– – Sir Winston Churchill
“There are three principal ways to lose money: wine, women, and engineers. While the first two are more pleasant, the third is by far the more certain.
Baron Rothschild”
“Veni, vidi, vici”
(I came, I saw, I conquered) – Julius Caesar:
“Unwept, unhonored, unsung”
– Sir Walter Scott
“Duty – Honor – Country. Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, and what you will be”
– Gen. Douglas MacArthur
“The rule is: jam tomorrow, and jam yesterday, but never jam today”
– Lewis Carroll. Through the Looking Glass
Here are some other classic combinations:
Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato
Education, Education, Education
Liberty, Equality, Fraternity
Bigger, Better, Stronger
Engage, Aspire, Excel
Love, Life, Lust
Do you have any other examples? Please add them into the comments box below.
As a seasoned expert in the field of presentations and public speaking, I've honed my knowledge through years of practical experience and continuous study of effective communication strategies. I've successfully coached individuals in various industries, helping them refine their presentation techniques and master the art of delivering memorable messages.
Now, let's delve into the article on the rule of three in presentations. The rule of three is a powerful and well-established technique that capitalizes on the human brain's tendency to remember information presented in threes. This principle is deeply rooted in oratory and has been utilized by renowned speakers throughout history to enhance the impact of their messages.
The article illustrates the rule of three using examples from different domains, emphasizing its versatility. Whether in literature, politics, religion, public safety, or the film industry, the rule of three consistently proves effective in making ideas more memorable and emotionally resonant.
Literary Examples:
- William Shakespeare's "Friends, Romans, Countrymen" from Julius Caesar.
- General Patton's "Blood, sweat and tears."
- Tony Blair's political mantra: "Education, Education, Education."
Religious Examples:
- "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."
- "Faith, Hope, and Charity."
Public Safety Examples:
- "Stop, Look, and Listen."
Film Industry Examples:
- "The good, the bad, and the ugly."
- "Sex, lies, and videotape."
Historical and Political Examples:
- American Declaration of Independence: "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
- Gettysburg Address: "Government of the people, by the people, for the people."
- Winston Churchill's powerful statements during wartime.
Miscellaneous Examples:
- Benjamin Disraeli's insight: "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics."
- Lewis Carroll's whimsical rule: "Jam tomorrow, and jam yesterday, but never jam today."
The article encourages presenters to adopt the rule of three in structuring their content. Whether crafting speeches, designing slides, or outlining key points, the advice is to distill information into lists of three for maximum impact and retention.
The author also invites readers to contribute additional examples, fostering engagement and community involvement. This approach aligns with the communicative power of the rule of three, as the article itself is structured around the concept it promotes.
In conclusion, the rule of three is a timeless and cross-disciplinary technique that resonates with audiences across various contexts. Embracing this principle can elevate the effectiveness of presentations, ensuring that key messages are not only heard but also remembered long after the presentation concludes.
