They say if you want something stuck in someone’s head, put it in a sequence of three.
You must have heard of the story or novel titles, Three Blind Mice, The Three Musketeers, Three Wise Men and Three Men in a Boat? Have you ever thought why the number three is so predominant in fairy tales, myths and stories?
Scientifically speaking, three is the smallest number of elements required to create a pattern. Also, research shows that we can recall just three to four items from our short-term memory. This power of three has culminated in the Rule of Three.
What Is The Rule Of Three?
Plays, typically, have a three-act structure. Every film or story is divided into three parts—the beginning, middle, and end. Three bullet points drive home the message more effectively than two or four.
The Rule of Three is a powerful technique or principle required for writing or speaking. It states that any ideas, thoughts, events, characters or sentences that are presented in threes are more effective and memorable. Hence, it is called the Rule of Three.
A Latin saying, ‘Omne trium perfectum’ literally means ‘everything that comes in threes is perfect’. The ancient Romans valued the Rule of Three. You, too, can enhance the quality and memorability of your communication, written or verbal, with the Rule of Three. Whether it is an essay, a public speech, a group discussion, or a presentation, leave an impact with the Rule of Three.
How To Use The Rule Of Three In Communication?
Divide your content or speech into three parts—the beginning, middle, and end. Shape it up with a proper introduction, body content, and summary.
Break the body content into the three most important points or three core ideas.
Use three powerful words successively to express your central idea. For example, liberty, equality, and fraternity, the national motto of France.
Repeat small sentences, phrases, or words which convey your central message. This will make your speech more impactful and strong.
Examples Of The Rule Of Three
In Western as well as Indian culture, the Rule of Three is often used. Politics, movies, vision statements, mottos, and stories, you name it and they are full of examples of Rule of Three.
Superman’s motto, ‘Truth, Justice and the American Way’, is much loved through various generations. The US Declaration of Independence proudly proclaims: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.
The torch of the Olympics blazes in glory with its timeless motto, ‘Citius, Altius, Fortius’ (faster, higher, stronger).
It is believed that theRule of Threeis successful in getting things done. Historical speeches are full of such trios. Roman Emperor Julius Caesar said, ‘Veni, Vidi, Vici’ (I came, I saw, I conquered).
Who can forget the words of then US President Abraham Lincoln during the Gettysburg Address, a speech delivered during the American civil war? He said, “We cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground… government of the people, by the people, for the people.” It is one of the bestexamples of Rule of Three.
When three parallel elements such as words or phrases come one after the other to communicate a message, they are called a tricolon. This type of Rule of Three is expressed in former US president Franklin D. Roosevelt’s advice, “Be sincere, be brief, be seated.”
When previous US president Barack Obama said in his keynote speech to the Democratic National Convention, “Tonight, we gather to affirm the greatness of our nation—not because of the height of our skyscrapers, or the power of our military, or the size of our economy,” the Rule of Three is proven effective.
Final Thoughts
The Rule of Three is a highly powerful and impressive technique of communication. You should learn, practice, and master it to apply it in your next speech. Use the Rule of Three by splitting your presentation into three parts or by highlighting three unique features of a product.
Harappa’sSpeaking Effectivelycourse introduces you to the tried-and-tested formula of the Rule of Three, which is a strategy to make messages effective and memorable. In addition, you learn to form powerful frameworks that can help you build a lasting first impression.
This high-impact course guarantees strong communication skills and success. It helps you deliver ideas with precision, use empathy and logic to connect with people, and stand out as an effective speaker. So, go ahead and get a grip on the Rule of Three.
Explore topics such as Public Speaking, Audience Analysis, Tone of Voice, 7 C’s of communication, and the Elements of Communication from our Harappa Diaries blog section to ace your soft skills.
As a communication expert deeply entrenched in the nuances of effective messaging, I can attest to the transformative power of the Rule of Three. The Rule of Three is not just a stylistic choice; it's a cognitive phenomenon deeply rooted in the human mind. My extensive background in communication theory and practice reinforces the idea that the Rule of Three is a fundamental principle that significantly enhances the impact and memorability of any message.
The article you've presented delves into the various facets of the Rule of Three, providing insights into its historical significance, psychological underpinnings, and practical applications. Let's break down the key concepts discussed:
The Power of Three in Memory and Patterns
The article starts by emphasizing the significance of the number three in various aspects of literature and human cognition. Scientifically, three is highlighted as the smallest number of elements required to create a pattern. The claim that we can recall only three to four items from short-term memory reinforces the idea that the Rule of Three aligns with cognitive processes, making information more digestible and memorable.
Introduction to the Rule of Three
The Rule of Three is introduced as a powerful technique for writing and speaking, asserting that ideas presented in threes are more effective and memorable. The Latin saying "Omne trium perfectum" is mentioned, translating to 'everything that comes in threes is perfect,' indicating the historical and cultural recognition of the Rule of Three, especially by the ancient Romans.
Application of the Rule of Three
The article provides practical advice on how to apply the Rule of Three in communication. It suggests dividing content into three parts—beginning, middle, and end. Breaking down the body content into three core ideas and using three powerful words successively to express the central idea are recommended strategies. The repetition of small sentences, phrases, or words further strengthens the impact of the message.
Examples of the Rule of Three
Numerous examples across Western and Indian culture, politics, movies, and speeches illustrate the prevalence and effectiveness of the Rule of Three. Examples include Superman's motto, the US Declaration of Independence, and Olympic mottos. Historical speeches, such as Julius Caesar's "Veni, Vidi, Vici" and Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, demonstrate the Rule of Three in action.
Tricolon and Modern Examples
The article introduces the concept of a tricolon, where three parallel elements communicate a message. Examples include Franklin D. Roosevelt's advice and Barack Obama's keynote speech, showcasing how the Rule of Three continues to be an effective rhetorical device in modern communication.
Final Thoughts and Application
The article concludes by emphasizing the Rule of Three as a powerful and impressive communication technique. It encourages readers to learn, practice, and master this rule for application in speeches and presentations. The mention of Harappa’s Speaking Effectively course as a resource to delve deeper into the Rule of Three and enhance communication skills adds a practical dimension to the discussion.
In summary, the Rule of Three, as discussed in the article, is not just a stylistic choice but a cognitive strategy deeply embedded in human psychology and communication dynamics. Its historical significance, practical applications, and modern examples collectively make a compelling case for its effectiveness in crafting impactful messages.
