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How to use the ‘Rule of Three’ to create engaging speeches

May 17, 2021 - Gini Beqiri

One fundamental function of the human brain, and the brains of all animals, is to integrate information gathered from our surroundings to help us interact with each other. However, pattern recognition is a core functionality of the human brain and sets us apart from other species.

Language is a complex behaviour that uses patterns in the form of symbols, sounds, and words to encode meaning from speech. We have a superior ability to process patterns in our world and transfer our understanding to others.

An effective way to communicate ideas is to create patterns that are simple and easy to recognize. Three is the smallest number needed to form a pattern.

The Rule of Three

The Rule of Three is based on how our brains function – how we recognize and create patterns on a daily basis. The Rule of Three revolves around the observation that ideas given in threes are especially interesting and memorable to an audience.

People remember and are more engaged with concepts that are presented in groups of three. You can use the Rule of Three as a simple formula to make engaging speeches.

Many memorable lines and quotes are grouped into threes. It is no coincidence that ‘ good things happen in threes ‘! In Ancient Rome, the Latin phrase ‘ omne trium perfectum ‘ meant everything that comes in threes is perfect.

The Greeks also had a figure of speech for the magical power of three – hendiatris, meaning ‘ one through three ‘; three words are used to express a single idea. Other examples that embody the Rule of Three are:

“Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” from the United States Declaration of Independence
Veni, vidi, vici, meaning “I came, I saw, I conquered”
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Blood, sweat, and tears
Lights, camera, action!

Hermann Ebbinghaus’ forgetting curve expresses how learned information is forgotten over time. Research shows that after an hour, people will typically forget 56% of what you have presented them. After 24 hours, 66% of the presented information is forgotten. And after six days, this number creeps up to 75%.

Forgetting curve, image from What Is The Forgetting Curve (And How Do You Combat It)?

Echoic memory pertains directly to memory rooted in auditory information and retention. If you use visual cues in your speech, this will activate visual memory in your audience.

Modern technologies like video conferencing , digital signage, and the internet allow for expanded use of visual cues. Additionally, these technologies increase the potential size of your audience by allowing you to deliver speeches even when you are not in the same room.

Using both visual and auditory signals combined can often help your audience better remember the information you present.

While some people have greater capacities for memory, if your speech is not developed in a way that makes remembering an easier task, most of the information will be forgotten soon after you finish presenting. Your audience’s brains will not have to work as hard to retain your material if it clearly follows a pattern. Make sure that the small amount that people will remember are the major points in your speech.

The Rule of Three is pervasive in other areas of study and in famous religions.

In classic liberal arts the trivium is threefold and consists of grammar, logic, and rhetoric . Grammar is the art of creating and combining symbols to portray thoughts, while logic is the art of reason. Rhetoric is the art of persuasion; it uses both grammar and logic. Public speaking and delivering engaging speeches involves the art of rhetoric .

A speech that is engaging to an audience might not seem that different in structure from other speeches. Often the difference between an impactful speech and a speech that falls flat lies in our subconscious and unconscious minds.

According to Freudian psychology , your unconscious mind has primal feelings that cannot be brought to the surface at will, while your subconscious mind cannot be consciously processed in a moment, but can be recalled. Your subconscious and unconscious mind might not seem to influence conscious thought because their effects require analysis from your conscious mind. Gut feelings often arise from something your subconscious and unconscious mind has picked up.

Understanding how we process information can help you create engaging speeches that will captivate your audiences.

The Rule of Three for Speech Structure

Structure is important in classical modes of communication such as writing, and in speeches as well as in modern, derivative modes of communication such as video conferencing, social media, and digital signage . The structure of your speech can influence how you hold your audience’s attention.

Greek philosopher Aristotle declared that a play should have a beginning, a middle, and an end. Famous plays by playwrights such as William Shakespeare and his contemporaries, were often structured into five acts by editors after being published. However, their works were fluid and meant to be continuous or even stray beyond this structure. Today, the five-act structure has been replaced by the three-act structure.

Likewise, speeches should have a beginning, a middle and an end . Three segments, in accordance with the Rule of Three. The beginning is characterized by an introduction that grabs the listener’s attention.

The middle, or the body of your speech, contains the bulk of information. You can also use the Rule of Three in formulating the content for the body, and stick to having three main points. If you have less than three, your speech may seem incomplete to the audience. More than three points could cause your audience to lose interest and even fall asleep.

Finally, the end or conclusion is a summary that repeats key points mentioned throughout your speech. The conclusion will be the last thing your audience will hear, and through repetition, they will be able to remember what you discussed.

Using the Rule of Three in the structure of your speech can be powerful and engaging and can be applied creatively. There are a variety of proposed structures that are based on the Rule of Three and expand on the overarching structure of an introduction, body, and conclusion.

For instance, you can split your speech into past, present, and future. In this way, you have outlined your speech so each segment can function on its own.

In the first segment , you can discuss the past and the problems that are faced.

The second segment can discuss the present and you can clearly outline the decision that needs to be made. In this part you will then share the options available to solve the problem and your analysis of them.

The final segment can bring your audience to the future, the result of the correct action being chosen.

Instead of using the body of your speech to lay out three main points with three sub-points for each, consider developing the content by listing pros of the solution you are proposing, then outlining all the cons. The final point in your body can be the recommendation. Ensure you use repetition in the conclusion and go over the major points of your speech.

The Rule of Three for Emphasis

In visual art, the rule of thirds is used to create focal points for the created image. Your eyes are drawn into the picture if key elements are placed along horizontal and vertical lines split into thirds.

In like manner, you can use the Rule of Three to bring emphasis to the key points in your speech. You can use three statements for each point in your speech to help each point pack a punch. More points can make it seem like you are belabouring the main idea, and fewer points might be less interesting.

For example, you can use three anecdotal references for key points. The first two can describe the problem with clarity and the final, the third story, can address the problem but also showcase the solution.

The intonation of your voice can be used to drive the three points forward. The first two points can be rushed and said quickly, and the last point can be said slowly and with a higher degree of emotion. Consider even flattening your voice during the first two points and build up excitement in your voice as you present the third point.

Pattern recognition is about creating anticipation in our minds; you can flow with the natural rise in anticipation and create emphasis by using the Rule of Three.

The Rule of Three for Humour

Emotion reinforces pattern recognition in our minds. People are inherently social by nature and emotions contribute to our survival. Adding elements in your speech that bring about emotional responses from your audience can help transform your speech into a memorable event that will stay with them.

Since the human brain is constantly evaluating its surroundings to try and create patterns, you can use the Rule of Three to create moments of surprise or humor in your speech.

Joke structure is often based on triple formats. The setup and preparation forms a pattern that leads to a memorable punchline. After two points, your audience will already see the similarities and expect the third point to complete the pattern in their mind.

However, you can take the speech in a different direction and completely surprise them, similar to how a magician reveals the final flourish much to everyone’s amazement after a slow buildup.

Eliciting an emotive response to your speech will help your audience remember your key points and the message you are hoping to convey.

The Rule of Three for Persuasion

In 1960, Paul Maclean, a famous American neuroscientist, described a triune model for the human brain . This model divides the brain into three distinct areas:

The primal brain
The emotional brain
The rational brain

The primal brain is responsible for fight-or-flight responses, the emotional brain generates feelings, and the rational brain forms logical thought and is capable of complex reasoning.

Modern advancements have allowed for detailed brain-imaging technologies and have discredited Paul Maclean’s model. Various regions of the brain show activity instead of three distinct regions during the three activities listed.

Even though the triune model is an oversimplification of how signals in the brain actually work, this model can help provide insight into how people process information from their surroundings. A persuasive speech can be created if each of the three minds of your audience becomes engaged.

You may hope to persuade your audience into action with your speech. Aristotle identified three tools that are fundamental to persuasion:

These form the rhetorical triangle. First you will need to establish ethos.

Ethos is a Greek word that translates to “character”, and your audience will need to trust your moral character and credibility so they can trust what you will say next. This contributes to your audience’s primal thought processes and their survival instincts.

Logos translates to “reason”. You will need to support your argument with logical reasoning and patterns. Sound arguments cater to your audience’s rational mind.

Pathos translates to “emotion” and establishes the importance of appealing to the emotional side of your audience. Emotions will resonate with your audience and persuade them. If your audience can feel your speech, their emotional brain is engaged.

With ethos, logos, and pathos , you can involve the three main processes of the human brain. You will have the ability to captivate the entire mind of your listener.

The Rule of Three can even take the rhetorical triangle further. When you deliver your speech, talk about your audience three times as much as you discuss yourself. This pattern will reinforce the importance of how they can derive benefit by following your suggestions. They will be able to trust you because you have shown that your focus is on how you can benefit them.

Engaging Words

The power of the smallest number needed to create a pattern was realized by ancient civilizations. While society has changed, the fundamental way that our brains function has not changed; patterns still drive us. The Rule of Three is a simple principle that is rooted in the essence of our brains and how we create patterns.

Harnessing the Rule of Three in various aspects of a speech can help engage your audience and give them something to remember. Consider using the Rule of Three in speech structure, emphasis, humour, and for persuasion in your next speech.

Delivery Techniques →

Master the Rule of Three Speech Technique for Maximum Impact

Are you in search of a tool to help you become a masterful public speaker? Look no further than the simple yet effective “rule of three” technique–an essential communication strategy for delivering your message with maximum impact. This handy little writing tool allows you to succinctly summarize your point in an impactful way, and also makes it easier to remember your message by helping your audience retain the information. Whether you’re giving a presentation at work, delivering a persuasive speech , or just trying to make a point in conversation, the rule of three will be your secret weapon to flex your speaking muscles and make a lasting impression. Let’s take a closer look at how you can master this technique and hone your public speaking skills.

What is the Rule of Three Speech Structure?

The Rule of Three speech structure refers to the idea that a list of three items that logically relate to each other can be used to make an argument or memorable statement more impactful. It is particularly useful in speeches where the speaker wants to emphasize a point, engage their audience and have a clear, structured timeline for the points they’re making. Based on the concept of “rhythm” in public speaking, the Rule of Three centers around making sure the point has been clearly made before introducing another one. The use of the Rule of Three speech structure has many benefits; firstly it offers an organized way to deliver and present your points, allowing for a smoother flow when communicating complex ideas. Secondly, it allows for anyone speaking to break down difficult topics into easily digestible chunks which are easier for their listeners to follow and remember. For example, if you were giving a presentation about sustainability initiatives and explained how reducing water waste, increasing energy efficiency and preventing pollution leads to greater sustainability in our communities. Thirdly, following the Rule of Three makes the argument more impactful by adding rhythm with its concise repetition as well as creating an effect that resonates with audiences both large and small. On the other hand, there are some drawbacks associated with using the Rule of Three speech format. One potential issue may be that sticking with three choices could limit your argument; if you want to discuss more than three initiatives or topics, you would need to look for alternate approaches. Additionally, you risk beginning to sound robotic if not done correctly; having too much repetition can cause people to disconnect from your presentation instead of engage with it. Finally, by emphasizing three points only it might lead some people to think that those points do not adequately cover everything and overlook a lot of important data or arguments that should have been included otherwise. Therefore, while this technique can be highly effective when used correctly and is easy to remember for both speakers and audiences alike, it is important to keep balance in mind and think about whether this approach works for what you are trying to communicate before using it in your speech delivery. By understanding the basics of what the Rule of Three speech structure is and considering its advantages and disadvantages, we can now move on to discussing how it should be effectively incorporated into your own speeches in our next section.

Tips on How to Use the Rule of Three

When creating a presentation, the rule of three speech technique is an effective tool to use in order to make maximum impact. This technique focuses on grouping information into threes and using repetition effectively. By using these techniques, speakers are able to create more engaging presentations and more memorable points. To get started with the rule of three speech technique, here are some tips on how to best use it: One: Repetition is key. Using repetition helps the audience remember points, ideas and information better. Try repeating your main point three times during the presentation. Two: Group data or points into threes instead of listing or presenting individually. This allows for easier and faster assimilation of information as well as easier recall. Three: Structure your ideas for maximum impact. Structure each idea in a way that amplifies its significance — start with something strong and finish with something equally strong or even stronger. Debating both sides of the argument, one can argue that repetition is useful when trying to convey a message but can be overly repetitive if overused; however, one can also argue that by using repetition it helps the audience understand and remember important information better than if they were to be presented without repetition. Similarly, while organizing points into threes can be beneficial in making them easier to understand and absorb, too many triplets may appear cluttered or confusing. Additionally, while there is no doubt that structuring ideas has significant value when conveying a message through a presentation, it can become difficult if the data contains more than three points and needs to be restructured in order for all relevant information to fit in the structure effectively. Considering all this, it’s clear that there are pros and cons to using the rule of three speech technique.

Decide What Three Ideas You Want to Convey

Deciding on the three ideas you want to convey is arguably the most important part of mastering the rule of three speech technique. It’s essential that you give considerable thought to what points you want to make in your speech. Consider both quality and quantity. You should choose topics which are relevant to your audience and make sure they are able to build upon one another. Without a clear understanding between the relationship of your three ideas, the speech will be difficult to follow. On one hand it might be tempting to select topics which are likely to appeal strongly to your audience, such as popular talking points or trendy subjects. However, merely picking these topics out of convenience can come at the expense of strong relationships between them and lessens their overall impact as you’re not creating an interesting narrative for your listeners. It might be better in this case to ensure that the themes relate together in some meaningful fashion and build up to larger point or conclusion. On the other hand, if you focus too much on making sure there is a connection between them all, it could lead you down a path where your points become more abstract or drawn out than necessary while unnecessarily taking up speaking time. The key is finding a comfortable balance between presenting a cohesive narrative while still keeping your points concrete and easy to follow. Now that you have determined which ideas are important enough to include in your speech and how they all fit together, it’s time to start thinking about specific ways of conveying these themes to your audience. Creating visualizations and appealing to the listener’s emotions can help give substance and bring life to the stories you tell during your presentation. In the next section we will examine methods for achieving this goal in order to maximize the impact of your speech.

Examples of Powerful Rule of Three Speeches

The Rule of Three has been used throughout history by some of the greatest orators, with some of the most memorable speeches often containing powerful trilogies. Examples range from declarations of political policies to religious teachings and even comedic delivery.

“I came, I saw, I conquered.” – Julius Caesar used this famous phrase to describe his victory over Pharnaces II of Pontus.

Blood, sweat, and tears.” – Winston Churchill used this phrase in one of his famous speeches to describe the sacrifices that would be necessary to win the war.

Friends, Romans, Countrymen.” – Shakespeare’s famous phrase is a good example of the “Rule of Three” being used to create a memorable introduction .

“The pursuit of happiness can be achieved through three essential elements: living in the present, cultivating gratitude, and building meaningful relationships with others.”

“We are here today to celebrate the hard work, dedication, and perseverance of our team. Each one of these qualities is essential to success, but it is the combination of all three that has led us to this momentous occasion.”

“As we move forward into the future, we must remember the lessons of the past, embrace the challenges of the present, and have hope for the possibilities of the future.”

“To be a successful entrepreneur, you must be willing to take risks, learn from your failures, and constantly innovate and adapt to changing circumstances.”

“A truly great leader must have vision, the ability to inspire others, and the willingness to make tough decisions in the face of adversity.”

“When it comes to achieving your goals, you need to have a clear plan, stay disciplined in your approach, and have the resilience to keep going even when things get tough.”

“To live a fulfilling life, you must focus on three important areas: your personal growth, your relationships with others, and your contributions to the world around you.”

“The foundation of a healthy society is built on three key pillars: education, healthcare, and economic opportunity for all.”

Follower of Christianity may also be familiar with Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, where much of his teachings were divided into threes for emphasis. One well-known phrase stated “Blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are those who mourn, blessed are the meek” which highlights how effective triads can reinforce a message. These examples demonstrate how effective the Rule of Three can be when utilized for maximum impact. But what benefits come from using this technique? In the following section we will explore just how using trilogies can help your next speech deliver maximum influence and memory retention among your audience.

Benefits of Using the Rule of Three

The Rule of Three speech technique is a powerful rhetorical method for creating an effective and memorable communication. It has been used by great orators like Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, and JFK to engage audiences, spark their interest and advance their beliefs. Using the Rule of Three speech technique in a presentation or public speaking event creates several important benefits, making it an ideal choice for presenters who seek maximum impact on their audiences. One of the primary advantages of the Rule of Three is that it helps to establish a pattern that listeners can predict, follow, and remember. When auditory cues are repeated three times in a row, information becomes more memorable and persuasive to an audience due to its rhythm and familiarity. Additionally, presenting multiple arguments rather than one conveys an impression of balance and scale that increases your credibility while demonstrating your knowledge. Another key benefit is that using the Rule of Three technique allows you to focus ideas into concise segments which makes them easier to process, understand and recall. As someone wise once said: “things should be put in three” because “two is too few, four too many”. By condensing complex data and information into three distinct points, you can ensure that your message will stay within your listener’s limited attention span while also making sure they comprehend the information you are trying to convey. The use of the Rule of Three also helps keep presentations engaging by providing variety in content delivery. Repetition helps keeps key points with listeners but can quickly become monotonous. For example, if all elements in a presentation include three points; descriptions, stories and examples utilizing the Rule of Three help maintain interest levels during longer speeches . Therefore, by leveraging the Rule of Three method to create more persuasive and structured communications you can be sure to obtain maximum impact on your audience members from start to finish.

The Rule of Three Speech Technique is an effective and powerful way for speakers to make their message stick. Not only does it create a sense of completion and finality when used correctly, but it also provides memorable structure to any speech or presentation. Furthermore, it is a highly tested method, with numerous studies and examples from history showing its widespread use. However, it is important not to abuse this technique. Too much repetition and over-emphasis on the same three words or points can be tiresome and even counterproductive. Therefore, there should be a balance established between occasional reminders of cores ideas and providing variation in the delivery of information. Choosing the right words is clearly essential for leveraging the power of the Rule of Three Speech Technique. When used judiciously, this technique can prove to be one of the most effective methods for making a lasting impact with any speech or presentation.

Frequently Asked Questions and Their Answers

What types of speeches benefit most from the “rule of three” structure.

The Rule of Three speech technique can be used to structure any type of speech, from persuasive speeches to informational speeches. However, persuasive speeches are the type of speech that benefits most from this structure. Using the Rule of Three gives persuasive speeches more power and clarity, making it easier for an audience to follow and understand the main message. By listing three distinct points, the speaker gives the audience something to remember and helps create a stronger presence in their mind. Additionally, using three points helps create a sense of finality, which can make any argument more compelling.

What are the benefits of using the “rule of three” in speeches?

The “rule of three” is a powerful speech technique which has been used by some of the greatest communicators in history. By using this technique, a speaker can use repetition to emphasize their point and create greater impact on the audience. The primary benefit of using the “rule of three” technique is that it can help structure and strengthen an argument so that it is more persuasive. By repeating an idea or concept three times, one makes it easier for listeners to remember, increasing the likelihood that the audience will be persuaded. In addition, by using repetition, speakers can also create emphasis and add weight to their words. Repeating phrases or sentences helps to draw attention and emphasize important points. Moreover, associating certain ideas or messages with something familiar can be a great tool for aiding recall. The rule of three does just this by making listeners recognize patterns and relate new information to ideas they already know. Ultimately, these benefits taken together make the “rule of three” an effective tool for creating maximum impact in speeches.

How is the “rule of three” used in public speaking?

The “rule of three” is a useful speech technique for public speaking that requires speakers to group their main points into three distinct parts. This technique helps to make an argument more persuasive and memorable by creating a rhythm and structure to the speech, as well as providing audience members with easily digestible information. To understand why this technique works so well, it’s important to understand the power of groups of three. The rule of three is based off of a popular literary device called tricolon, which uses lists of three items to emphasize a point. For example, Abraham Lincoln used this technique in the famous Gettysburg Address: “We cannot dedicate—we cannot consecrate—we cannot hallow—this ground.” By repeating similar ideas in threes, he was able to add emphasis and draw his audience in. The same principles can be applied to speeches. By breaking down your main point into three distinct sections, you can provide evidence for your argument more effectively, engage the audience’s attention more deeply, and increase the impact of your key message. And since many people are naturally drawn to patterns or rhythm in language , the rule of three helps make your speech feel more natural and enjoyable for listeners.

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How to Use the Rule of Three in Your Speeches

Using the Rule of Three allows you to express concepts more completely, emphasize your points, and increase the memorability of your message.

That’s the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

What is the rule of three? What are some famous examples? How do you use it in speeches? Read on!

Speech Quotations
Rhetorical Questions
Triads (the Rule of Three)
Parallelism

Western Culture and the Rule of Three

Trios, triplets, and triads abound in Western culture in many disciplines. Just a small sampling of memorable cultural triads include:

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Heaven, hell, and purgatory (Catholicism, primarily)
Three Wise Men with their gold, frankincense, and myrrh
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Sex, Lies, and Videotape
Superman’s “ Truth, Justice, and the American Way “
Nursery rhymes such as the Three Little Pigs or Goldilocks and the Three Bears
In a more general sense, there is the allure of trilogies as with Indiana Jones , The Godfather , The Matrix , Star Wars , and many others.
U.S. Branches of Government: Executive, Judicial, and Legislative
U.S. Declaration of Independence: “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”
French motto: Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité
Abundance of tri-colored flags
Fire safety motto: Stop, Drop, and Roll
Olympic motto: Citius, Altius, Fortius or Faster, Higher, Stronger
Real estate: Location, Location, Location

Historic Rule of Three Speech Examples

Speechwriting is, of course, part of our culture. Examples of the Rule of Three can be found in some of the most famous speeches ever delivered:

“Veni, vidi, vici” (I came, I saw, I conquered)
“ Friends, Romans, Countrymen. Lend me your ears. “
“ We can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground. “
“ Government of the people, by the people, for the people “
“ Duty, Honor, Country ” [repeated several times in the speech]
“ we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America “

What’s Magical About the Rule of Three?

It is reasonable to ask what’s so special about three? Why is it so popular in our culture? Aren’t there just as many examples of two- or four-element famous speech lines?

For a famous duo, there is Patrick Henry’s “ Give me liberty or give me death . ”

For a classic quartet, it is tough to beat Winston Churchill’s “ I would say to the House as I said to those who have joined this government: I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat . ”

Despite examples like these, there is something magical about the Rule of Three in the way that it allows a speaker to express a concept, emphasize it, and make it memorable.

In his book Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer , Roy Peter Clark provides insights to the magic of the number three:

“ The mojo of three offers a greater sense of completeness than four or more. ”

… the “encompassing” magic of number three … in our language or culture, three provides a sense of the whole … … in the anti-math of writing, the number three is greater than four. The mojo of three offers a greater sense of completeness than four or more. … Use one for power. Use two for comparison, contrast. Use three for completeness, wholeness, roundness. Use four or more to list, inventory, compile, and expand.

Rhetorical Devices — Rule of Three

The rule of three describes triads of all types — any collection of three related elements. Two more specific triad variants are hendiatris and tricolon .

A hendiatris is a figure of speech where three successive words are used to express a central idea.

Examples of hendiatris include:

“ Veni, vidi, vici. ” [Julius Caesar]
“ Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité “ [ French motto]
“ Citius, Altius, Fortius ” [Olympic motto]
“ Wine, women, and song ” [Anonymous]

A tricolon is a series of three parallel elements (words or phrases). In a strict tricolon, the elements have the same length but this condition is often put aside.

Examples of tricola include:

“Veni, vidi, vici. ” [Julius Caesar]
“ Be sincere, be brief, be seated. ” [Advice for speakers from Franklin D. Roosevelt]
“ Tonight, we gather to affirm the greatness of our nation – not because of [1] the height of our skyscrapers, or [2] the power of our military, or [3] the size of our economy. ” [Barack Obama, Keynote speech to Democratic National Convention, July 2004]

Contemporary Speech Examples using the Rule of Three

“ Using the Rule of Three allows you to express concepts more completely, emphasize your points, and increase the memorability of your message. ”

Nearly every speech critiqued on Six Minutes has wielded the magic of the Rule of Three, as shown by numerous examples below.

Click through the links to read the detailed analysis.
Watch the speech being delivered, and note the delivery of these key triads.
Note how memorable these passages are within the whole speech.

Examples like these cross a wide array of speech types and settings. You can study these examples, and then apply the lessons to your own speechwriting to see how you can incorporate the Rule of Three.

5 Speechwriting Lessons from Obama’s Inaugural Speech

Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered.

Steve Jobs: Stanford Commencement Address, 2005

[1] It means to try to tell your kids everything you thought you’d have the next 10 years to tell them in just a few months. [2] It means to make sure everything is buttoned up so that it will be as easy as possible for your family. [3] It means to say your goodbyes.

Dalton Sherman: Do you believe?

You’re the ones [1] who feed us, [2] who wipe our tears, [3] who hold our hands or hug us when we need it.

J.A. Gamache: Toastmasters, 2007

A sandal of hope when you reach out. A sandal of joy when you listen to your heart. A sandal of courage when you dare to care.

Electrify Your Audience with a Shocking Speech Opening

Tobacco. [long pause] Alcohol. [long pause] Guns. [long pause] Criminal items seized in a search [slight pause] of a 6th grade locker in a bad school district .

Patrick Henry Winston: How to Speak

Your careers will be determined largely by how well you speak, by how well you write, and by the quality of your ideas… in that order.

Speech Preparation #6: Add Impact with Rhetorical Devices

… we cannot predict when the wind blows. We cannot predict how strong it will be. We certainly cannot predict its direction.

Other Magical Ways to Harness the Power of Three in Speechwriting

The next Six Minutes articles in this series show you how to apply the Rule of Three to speech outlines , and how to create humor with the Rule of Three to get your audience laughing.

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33 comments.

You’ve put together a fantastic resource here. Another dimension of the Rule of Three is structure. The best stories, screenplays and folktales often have three parts to them. Olivia

Hi Olivia: Structure, indeed! That is the focus of the next article in this series… coming soon.

Love that Olivia, Wooo

You missed one of the most important groups of 3 ever … The 3 Stooges !

Great article. Well researched (except for missing the Stooges) and I really enjoyed it.

D. Mark “Dave” Wheeler

And the greatest.. The THREE… Musketeers.

OK they end up four.. so??

This proves that the rule of three works.. It attracts … (you name it) even more.

Thanks to the late Gail Jefferson, we’ve known for years that most lists people use in everyday conversation have three items in them. But I don’t believe there’s anything magical about it, for reasons given at: http://maxatkinson.blogspot.com/2008/11/why-so-many-lists-of-three-mystery.html .

I am, however, in no doubt about its rhetorical effect, which is why it’s dealt with in more detail in my book ‘Lend Me Your Ears’ (Chapter 6).

Thought you might appreciate this example from a training course we ran recently… we were working on exercises along these lines when one group came up with this fantastic summary of a good meal. 1/ Shopping 2/ Chopping 3/ Troughing

Pure genius! 🙂

I would also like to think that the rule of three also corresponds to the average attention span of an adult. when making a presentation, two seems to short while four is too much. three seems to be the perfect number to make a point. thanks. great post. 🙂

I love this article. I was thinking about this very concept yesterday. When I prepare for a seminar, I know that I have to take my research, audience, and purpose to create “The Three.” Five is fine, but people forget. Three can cover just enough bases.

Excellent article. To the point. Extremely useful. Thanks.

I have been groping in the dark for an area to talk on, at my 2nd Toastmaster speech. I loved “The Rule of Three” article! I’m a Malaysian born Indian and therefore by no stretch of the imagination, of western breeding. However, I loved your explanations elaborations on the rule of three. I also identify with the completeness conferred by “threes”; Just as the writer mentioned the holy trinity as an example, the hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva come to mind as an examples in Indian/ Southeast Asian culture. Classical Indian Music as well as languages such as Tamil and Sanskrit have numerous examples of the rule of three. You’ve inspired me to use these in some way for my 2nd Toastmaster speech! Thanks for the idea!

I found the blog. I read it. I’ll do it!

Many thanks for this invaluable resource. I will point my friends, colleagues and students towards it. Rgds Vince

PS – I remember George Bush saying about 5 years ago, that ‘What Iraq needs now is peace, justice and security.’ The three stuck in my mind…

Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll. 😉

Great article.

Excellent article on Speech- craft!! Here are two more triads: – Reading, wRiting and aRithmetic (sometimses the 3 ‘R’s) – Wine, Woman & Wealth (the 3 inducements)

My favorite example of the Rule of Three–and the one taught to my now adult children–“THREE IS A MAGIC NUMBER” from the Schoolhouse Rock education series! My grandbabies are now learning the tune(s)

Hey Andrew!

Great Article!

I really enjoyed the variety of sources you pulled from.

I find it amazing how much I actually think, speak, and write in “threes” without effort.

Whether the phenomenon of threes is something innate or a product of conditioning (most likely a bit of both), it is nevertheless powerful.

It just feels right. Syllogisms, Jokes, and Stories naturally take on the pattern

Good Job! Love the blog!

The rule of three is right under our noses, yet I never thought anything of it! An aha! moment you could say.

Direct, No-fluff, Excellent!

Thanks, Ben.

Very informative resource. Thanks Andrew.

Thank you for this article and all of your helpful articles! I just gave my first speech at Toastmasters and this site helped tremendously!!!

In sales which is life, there must be a begining,middle,end. The structure in all things!The Power of 3!!

Jimmy Crimmins

Thank you for send me these informations,they are very important for me.One of my dream is to be a public speaker and speechwriter and you are helping me out with these informstions, thank you again.

Very informative and useful tool I learned.

I have learnt so much and hope to learn even more with this information

Thanks for putting together so many useful links and examples Andrew. I’ve linked to your post from my blog – as many others have.

When speaking, you might also like these 3 tips to convey your talk’s key message. Or, as I like to call it, “Nail your point!”

I really enjoyed this read. I am working on a speech analysis essay. My speech is We shall overcome by President Lyndon Bb. Johnson. Thanks you.

Very interesting concept and well researched contentI will certainly implement ‘the rule of three’ in my presentations. thanks

these are useful tips thank you.

Great way to write a five paragraph essay with three supporting piece of evidence.

Wow! This article is so well thought and has many incredible and nostalgic references. Thanks for sharing Andrew. I will also be referencing this post on my blog post about what is public speaking and how to become a great public speaker.

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Create speeches that are interesting, exciting & engaging – discover the rule of 3 in this fantastic blog: https://t.co/v97QybuPv5 @6minutes — @SpeechWorkshop Oct 26th, 2015

Veni, vidi, vici…. La puissance du rythme ternaire dans les discours : https://t.co/zYhAPFoLRU by @6minutes — @beatrice_toulon Feb 11th, 2016

@OfficeOfRG This isn’t a bad speech at all by RG, but he’s forgetting the rule of 3, tempo rising but falling badly. https://t.co/DTVNIFkH5K — @sowmyarao_ Mar 2nd, 2016

How to Use the Rule of Three in Your Speeches https://t.co/JgQcEmIYsY by @6minutes — @SleimanSkaf Apr 20th, 2016

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How to Use the Rule of Three in Your Speeches https://t.co/I6D4L9piLK by @6minutes #publicspeaking — Mel Sherwood (@Grow_Potential) Jul 5th, 2016

How to Use the Rule of Three in Your Speeches https://t.co/hnKMxkFuzL by @6minutes — @BrendaLiddy Nov 7th, 2016

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How to Use the Rule of Three in Your Speeches https://t.co/afLXkHwXYC by @6minutes https://t.co/ItHnWQMVnk — SparklingSpeech (@SparklingSpeech) Jul 16th, 2018

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26 Blog Links

Pivotal Public Speaking » How to Add Power or Humor with the Rule of Three — Jul 9th, 2009

Target Intellect Blog » The rule of three in public speaking — Jul 16th, 2009

Presentationsteknik: skapa en intresseväckande inledning @ I huvudet på Håkan Fleischer — Dec 7th, 2009

The Gettysburg Address: An Analysis | Manner of Speaking — Nov 18th, 2010

When a Wordsmith is Passionate | Manner of Speaking — Dec 5th, 2010

Smartboard workshop & final project | Jago Gazendam — May 6th, 2011

Goodbye world! Hello Improv! « The DeVine Improvisation — Sep 7th, 2011

The Magic of the Rule of Three. Read – Understand- Use! :: 'No Sweat' Public Speaking! — Sep 8th, 2011

Ruminations with roomies | Diana Bananas — Nov 8th, 2011

Comment écrire un discours (la règle de trois) « Exprimez Votre Potentiel — Feb 12th, 2012

Steve Jobs’ 2005 Stanford Commencement Address » Project AnVi — Feb 27th, 2012

Lawyers conjure up faux analogies to find ‘lessons’ from “Hunger Games.” « The Irreverent Lawyer — Apr 19th, 2012

A bit of A and B (and you get some C) « Digitize We Must! — Apr 30th, 2012

Words threes | Ponderandpray — Jun 26th, 2012

3 Parts of Career Satisfaction | Engage Your Strengths — Jul 26th, 2012

Power of 3 — Sep 30th, 2012

HowTo CCR (Cannibal Caveman Roots) “Rule of Three” | StudyPR — Oct 2nd, 2012

CON SỐ 3 HUYỀN DIỆU « Phung Huy EDU — Oct 21st, 2012

What’s the Magic Number? | OISE Bristol — Nov 7th, 2012

Obama and the rule of three | B2B STORYTELLING — Nov 7th, 2012

Coup pour Coup / Blow for Blow (1972) | atwalt — Nov 10th, 2012

How to Use the Rule of Three in Your Speeches | Training Courses Blog — Nov 11th, 2012

It takes three to tango | B2B STORYTELLING — Dec 12th, 2012

Three Reasons Why Jimmy V’s ESPYs Speech Is Such An Amazing Display of Public Speaking. | Dan Oshinsky | Good. Better. Done. — Dec 13th, 2012

Public Speaking and The Rule of Three « Creating Communication — Feb 19th, 2013

Only1List Cheat Sheets | Presentations — May 7th, 2013

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How To Communicate Better With The Rule Of Three

They say if you want something stuck in someone’s head, put it in a sequence of three. You must have…

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 the Rule of Three is 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 best examples 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’s Speaking Effectively course 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.

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How to Use the 'Rule of Three' to Create Engaging Speeches

How to Use the ‘Rule of Three’ for Engaging Speeches

The ‘rule of three’ is a powerful technique for creating engaging speeches. By organizing your content into three main points or ideas, you can capture and hold your audience’s attention more effectively.

This article will explore how to use the ‘rule of three’ to create speeches that are memorable, impactful, and engaging. Whether you are giving a presentation at work, delivering a toast at a wedding, or speaking at a public event, mastering this technique will help you become a more confident and persuasive speaker.

So, let’s dive in and discover the secrets of using the ‘rule of three’ to captivate your audience.

Credit: virtualspeech.com

Table of Contents

Using Rhetorical Devices

Learn how to create engaging speeches using the ‘rule of three’, a rhetorical device that involves grouping ideas into sets of three. This technique adds emphasis, rhythm, and memorability to your speech, making it more impactful and memorable for your audience.

Whether you’re presenting to a large crowd or in a one-on-one setting, mastering the ‘rule of three’ can elevate your speaking skills to the next level.

The art of delivering an engaging speech lies in the effective use of rhetorical devices. By incorporating the ‘rule of three’ into your speech, you can captivate your audience and leave a lasting impression. This rule suggests that things that come in threes are inherently more satisfying, effective, and memorable.

One way to implement this rule is by using triads for emphasis.

Using Triads For Emphasis:

Triads involve grouping similar ideas or concepts into sets of three.
By following this pattern, you can create a sense of completeness and balance in your speech.
Triads can be used to enhance your message, emphasize key points, or provide supporting evidence.
Here are some examples of triads in action:
“i came, i saw, i conquered” – julius caesar
“government of the people, by the people, for the people” – abraham lincoln
“friends, romans, countrymen” – mark antony in shakespeare’s julius caesar

Utilizing repetition for emphasis:

Repetition is a powerful rhetorical device that can help drive home your message.
By repeating key words or phrases, you can create emphasis and reinforce your ideas.
Repetition can also help in building a rhythm and creating a memorable speech.
Here are some ways to use repetition effectively:
Repeat a word or phrase at the beginning or end of consecutive sentences or paragraphs.
Use anaphora, repeating a word or phrase at the beginning of multiple clauses or sentences.
Employ epistrophe, repeating a word or phrase at the end of multiple clauses or sentences.
Example: “i have a dream” – martin luther king jr. In his famous speech

Employing parallelism for clarity:

Parallelism involves using similar grammatical structures or patterns to create clarity and balance in your speech.
It helps in guiding your audience’s understanding and makes your speech more cohesive.
Here are some ways to employ parallelism:
Use parallel sentence structures by starting each sentence with the same grammatical form.
Create parallel clauses by using the same structure in multiple parts of a sentence.
Example: “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country” – john f. kennedy

By using triads for emphasis, repetition for emphasis, and employing parallelism for clarity, you can elevate the impact of your speeches and ensure your message remains captivating and memorable. So, the next time you craft your speech, remember the power of the ‘rule of three’ and make your words resonate with your audience.

Incorporating Stories And Examples

Learn how to use the powerful ‘rule of three’ to create captivating speeches by incorporating stories and examples. Discover how this technique can engage your audience and make your message memorable.

Telling Three Related Stories:

Story 1: The power of personal anecdotes
Start with an intriguing personal story or experience that connects with the topic.
Share how incorporating personal anecdotes can captivate an audience and make your speech more relatable.
Explain the impact of using storytelling to convey messages effectively.
Story 2: The art of historical narratives
Introduce a historical event or figure that aligns with your speech’s key point.
Describe how historical narratives can engage listeners by providing context and relevance.
Illustrate how weaving historical stories into your speech can make complex ideas more accessible.
Story 3: Unveiling inspiring success stories
Highlight a remarkable success story or achievement that supports your speech’s main theme.
Emphasize how sharing success stories can inspire and motivate your audience.
Discuss the significance of using real-life examples to strengthen your key message.

Sharing Three Relevant Examples:

Example 1: Sports and overcoming challenges
Outline a sports-related example that demonstrates perseverance and resilience.
Show how using this type of example can connect with audiences who appreciate sports references.
Explain how relating the example to your topic can aid in reinforcing your speech’s central idea.
Example 2: Technological innovations and impact
Discuss a trending technological development that showcases the power of innovation.
Describe how incorporating relevant examples can establish credibility and relevance.
Demonstrate how these examples can assist in clarifying complex concepts or ideas.
Example 3: Social issues and creating change
Present an example of a social issue where individuals or groups have enacted positive change.
Emphasize how using this type of example can elicit emotions and engage listeners.
Discuss the importance of inspiring action through relatable and impactful examples.

Explaining Three Case Studies:

Case study 1: The power of storytelling in advertising
Examine a case study where a company effectively used storytelling techniques in their advertising campaigns.
Highlight the benefits of storytelling and its impact on the brand’s message and customer engagement.
Analyze the success factors and outcomes of the case study, providing insightful takeaways.
Case study 2: Public speaking and personal growth
Explore a case study of an individual who overcame their fear of public speaking and experienced personal growth.
Discuss the transformative effects public speaking can have on one’s confidence and communication skills.
Evaluate the key steps, techniques, and mindset shifts that led to the positive outcomes in the case study.
Case study 3: Using examples in educational settings
Investigate a case study where incorporating relevant examples enhanced the effectiveness of an educational program.
Highlight how using examples created a deeper understanding and improved knowledge retention among students.
Evaluate the strategies employed in the case study and their implications for educational practices.

Creating Memorable Soundbites

Learn how to create engaging speeches using the ‘rule of three’ to craft memorable soundbites. By structuring your speech with three key points, you can capture your audience’s attention and deliver impactful messages.

Crafting Three Impactful Soundbites

The rule of three is a powerful tool for creating memorable soundbites in your speeches. By following this principle, you can engage your audience, make your key points stand out, and leave a lasting impression. Here are some tips for crafting three impactful soundbites:
Keep it concise: Soundbites are supposed to be short and snappy. Aim for a maximum of 10-15 words to ensure they are easy to remember and repeat.
Focus on key messages: Identify the three most important messages you want to convey in your speech. Each soundbite should encapsulate one of these messages in a compelling and concise manner.
Use strong imagery or metaphors: Incorporate vivid imagery or metaphors into your soundbites to make them more memorable and engaging. This helps to convey your ideas in a way that sticks with your audience.

Injecting Humor Into The Three Soundbites

Adding humor to your soundbites can make them even more impactful and catchy. Humor not only entertains your audience but also helps to build rapport and make your message more relatable. Here’s how you can inject humor into your three soundbites:
Puns and wordplay: Play with words to create clever and witty soundbites. Use puns, double entendres, or unexpected word combinations to add a touch of humor and make your soundbites more memorable.
Anecdotes and funny stories: Incorporate humorous anecdotes or funny stories into your soundbites. These real-life examples can not only entertain your audience but also serve to illustrate your points in a lighthearted way.
Surprise and irony: Injecting surprise or irony into your soundbites can evoke laughter from your audience. Use unexpected twists or ironic statements to catch their attention and make your soundbites more memorable.

Using The Rule Of Three For Catchy Slogans

The rule of three is not limited to speeches; it can also be applied to create catchy slogans that resonate with your audience. Whether you’re promoting a product, service, or idea, using this principle can help your slogan stick in people’s minds. Here’s how to use the rule of three for catchy slogans:
Simplicity is key: Craft your slogan using three concise and impactful words or phrases. Make sure it’s easy to understand and remember, avoiding unnecessary complexity.
Rhythm and repetition: Consider the rhythm and flow of your slogan. Using parallel structure or repeated sounds can make it more catchy and appealing to the ear.
Emphasize benefits: Highlight the key benefits or unique selling points of your product or service in your slogan. By focusing on what your audience wants or needs, you can create a slogan that captures their attention and resonates with them.

Remember, the rule of three is a versatile technique that can be applied not only in speeches but also in various other forms of communication. By crafting impactful soundbites and catchy slogans, you can effectively engage your audience and leave a lasting impression.

Frequently Asked Questions Of How To Use The ‘Rule Of Three’ To Create Engaging Speeches

What is the ‘rule of three’ in speeches.

The ‘rule of three’ is a rhetorical technique where ideas or concepts are presented in groups of three. This helps to make the speech more engaging and memorable to the audience. By using the power of three, you can create a pattern that is easy to follow and understand.

How Does The ‘Rule Of Three’ Improve Speech Delivery?

The ‘rule of three’ improves speech delivery by providing structure and rhythm to your message. It allows you to create a concise and impactful argument or story. By grouping ideas in threes, you make them more memorable and easier to comprehend, which ultimately engages and captivates your audience.

Can The ‘Rule Of Three’ Be Used In Different Types Of Speeches?

Absolutely! The ‘rule of three’ can be used in various types of speeches such as persuasive speeches, informative speeches, and even entertaining speeches. It is a versatile technique that helps you capture and hold the attention of your audience, regardless of the nature of your speech.

How Can I Incorporate The ‘Rule Of Three’ In My Speech?

To incorporate the ‘rule of three’ in your speech, start by identifying the main points or key ideas you want to convey. Then, structure your speech by grouping these points into three distinct categories. Make sure to craft each category with a clear and concise message.

This will make your speech more organized and impactful.

Utilizing the ‘rule of three’ in speech creation is a powerful method for engaging your audience and making your message more memorable. By organizing your ideas into three distinct points, you provide structure and clarity to your speech. This technique has been used by the world’s greatest speakers throughout history, proving its effectiveness.

Firstly, the ‘rule of three’ facilitates comprehension by breaking down complex ideas into manageable chunks. Secondly, it creates a rhythm that captures the attention of your listeners and maintains their engagement. Lastly, it enables you to emphasize your key points and leave a lasting impression on your audience.

Remember to include a mix of verbal and visual elements to enhance your speeches. Practice frequently and seek feedback to improve your delivery. By incorporating the ‘rule of three’ into your speechwriting, you will be well on your way to captivating your audience and delivering effective and impactful presentations.

So, start implementing this rule today and watch your speeches come to life.

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The Power of The Rule of Three in Communication & Persuasion

Hrideep barot.

Public Speaking , Speech Writing

Rule of three is the idea that using three components in anything yields a better understanding and easier remembrance, and is more attractive to an audience compared to using less or more than three components. In the context of communication and persuasion, it can be used in various ways, such as dividing it into three by structure, themes, stages, perspectives, and points.

We will first consider what the rule of three is, then we will move on to why you should use it and how it can be applied in the context of communication and persuasion. We will end with a few examples of its application.

What is the rule of three?

It is based on the assumption that when any ideas are presented in threes, they are more easily remembered, more captivating, and more effective in their purpose. The rule is then a guideline to use no less or more than three components in any context at all.

A few examples where the rule of three is commonly seen include the Serenity Prayer, the “Just Do It” slogan of Nike, and the “Government of the people, by the people, for the people” as stated by Lincoln.

It can be applied in various contexts, including writing, presenting, marketing, teaching, and so on. However, we will focus on the domains of communication and persuasion in this article, which are closely related to public speaking.

If you’re interested in finding out how it can be used in speech writing, head over to this article .

What are the 3 rules?

It is easy to confuse “the rule of three” as having “three rules”. However, there is only one rule in this system, which is to use three components for whatever we present.

Why use the rule of three?

The minimum number of elements needed to generate a pattern is three , and the human brain is predisposed to seeing patterns so it helps the elements stand out.
Anything less than three is too less to introduce complexity. E.g., a story has a beginning, a main plot, and an end. Similarly, a presentation tends to have an introduction, main content, and conclusion. Anything less than that would not be sufficient.
Anything more than three would be more difficult to remember and somewhat more complex . Our memory is limited so when we tell it to remember 5 items, it will obviously struggle more than it would for three items. This is also why it is recommended that you divide a topic with many components into major topics/themes and subcategorize them instead of putting it all together.

How can the rule of three be applied to communication?

This can be done in various ways depending on whether it is used in a sentence or a speech. A sentence may be simply divided into three components, while a speech could have a three-part structure, three themes, three stages, or three perspectives.

How to use the rule of three in a sentence or phrase?

You can simply break it down into three components. A sample structure would be “The joint efforts of A, B, and C.” You could also make up phrases with three elements. This could look like ”A, B, and C”. For example, “Adapt, Improvise and Overcome.”

How to use the rule of three in a speech?

Three-part structure.

Just like a story, you could divide it into a clear beginning, main idea, and end. This makes it quite easy for the audience to focus on the main idea.

Three Themes

You could divide it into themes. So, for example, if you’re talking about the possible issues at work, you can categorize them into those related to the work environment, supervisor, and the nature of work. Not only does this allow for easier understanding for the listener, but it also provides you with a mental framework that increases your understanding through this grouping.

Three Stages

You could divide it into stages that happen in chronological order. Without a structure such as this, we might end up putting a lot of unnecessary details into a story. When we challenge ourselves to summarize it into three points, we will come up with the most relevant points and also make sure it is understood.

Three Perspectives

You could divide it into perspectives . For example, one could be your personal feelings, one could be what others might feel about the issue, and one could be a middle ground of it.

Rule of three communication examples

Explaining an argument that has already taken place using a three-part structure.

Beginning: Provide the context of the people involved and their goals.
Main idea: Discuss the major points put forth by both parties and a critical evaluation of them. (Related: check out 11 effective strategies to resolve conflict .)
End: Convey the results of the argument.

Explaining the impact of a physical disease using three themes

Physical symptoms lead to discomfort.
Reduced capacity to function leads to distress.
The label of a disease leads to either isolation or social support.

Explaining what happened in an attempted robbery using three stages

First, the person entered the house through the window.
The person picked up the thing closest to the entrance- an old painting. But this made some sound and alerted the guards.
The guards restrained him and he was handed over to the police.

Explaining a difference in opinion from three perspectives

A believes that things should remain as they always have even if there’s an issue now because they have served him well in the past. This requires no expenditure.
B believes that things should keep changing whenever there are issues with the current system. This requires large expenditure.
C believes that things should change only after an assessment shows significant benefits but otherwise, things should remain as they are. This requires moderate expenditure.

How can the rule of three be applied to persuasion

How to use the rule of three in marketing/pitches, three benefits.

For persuasion, you could divide it into points and examples to support your argument.

Three Advantages over Competitors

You could also explain a competitor’s argument/characteristic and pair it with how you have an advantage over that.

Three Steps to Solving an Issue

You could state a problem, provide a solution, and state a favourable outcome that makes the audience more likely to be convinced of what you’re marketing.

Three components of a slogan

You could make up a slogan that best describes your product. This is quite similar to emphasizing the benefits but this does it in a much briefer format, with only one word used for each key characteristic. For example, “Fast, Effective, and Reliable.”

Rule of three persuasion examples

Explaining the benefits of volunteering (an action) using three key points.

Feelings of connection by working together with others in a community
Sense of fulfilment by helping those in need.
Personal growth through learning experiences.

Explaining the benefits of a mobile phone (product) using three key points

Communication
Convenience
Access to information

Explaining the problem with a potential policy using three key points

Customer dissatisfaction
Lower revenue
Employee turnover

We delved into the definition, benefits, and applicability of the rule of three. We also discussed various examples of its use. Communication is an essential tool in our life so we often look for ways to enhance it. I hope this article was of help to you.

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3 Ways to Use the Rule of Three in Writing to Satisfy Readers

by Joslyn Chase | 0 comments

Do you want to capture your readers’ attention, rivet them to the page, and leave them clamoring for more? Using the Rule of Three in writing is one way to meet reader expectations and engage reader interest.

The Rule of Three: A Definition

The Rule of Three is a writing technique that suggests listing three words, phrases, sentences, images, or ideas in succession to emphasize an idea. It can be applied in almost any type of written work, from essays to speeches and even advertisements.

It seems like such a simple technique. Can I really just use pattern recognition in a sentence structure to satisfy readers?

The short answer is yes. Writers have been using it at least as far back as William Shakespeare. Bringing together parallel elements in groups of three is satisfying partly due to the sense of rhythm, but it can also give a pleasant sense of closure.

It can create something that moves people, deepens their understanding, and keeps them thinking about your story long after they’ve devoured the last word.

But how do you apply this rule into your story naturally? Is it right for your book?

Rules: To follow, To bend, To break

The word “rule” already has some writers in a tizzy. Are there really rules?

Somerset Maugham said: “There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.”

It may be true that there really are no rules when it comes to fiction writing. But there are time-honored traditions so ingrained in our culture and conscience that it would be foolish to ignore them.

Some of these are the genre conventions and obligatory scenes that are critical to providing a pleasing experience for the reader.

Others are broader in scope, reaching far across genre boundaries to encompass many aspects of a reader’s life. One of these is the Hero’s Journey. David Safford has written an excellent series of articles exploring this topic, and I encourage you to check them out .

But let's look more specifically today at the custom known as The Rule of Three .

What Is the Rule of Three?

You don’t have to be a fan of Schoolhouse Rock to know that three is a magic number. Listen to a persuasive speaker, and you’ll hear him engage the Rule of Three time and again to drive home his points, motivate his audience, and boost their memory of his words. (See how I just did that?)

Things happen in threes.

Or at least it seems that way, because the convention is so deeply entrenched in our cultural expectations. You can see reflections of this everywhere. The Holy Trinity. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Truth, justice, and the American way.

We see it all the time in our fiction, too.

The three-act structure, beginning, middle, and end. The Three Little Pigs, the Three Amigos, the Three Musketeers, Three Blind Mice. Grouping things in threes not only provides rhythm and balance, but also invokes a powerful subconscious expectation.

Overall, the Rule of Three is the art of setting up and fulfilling a three-part pattern. It is a writing principle that is based on how people comprehend and retain information based on patterns. And like the number four, it is a small enough number to allow us to remember important details while also creating potential for growing conflict in a plot.

Unlike the number four though, odd numbers tend to be more interesting.

Let’s take a look at some of the ways we can use the Rule of Three in our writing.

Stronger Character Dynamics

When you have two characters, A interacts with B and B interacts with A. Certainly there can be tension, but it’s difficult to sustain in an interesting way.

Add a third character, and you’ve just deepened the dimensions of your plot significantly. Now we’ve got A to B, A to C, B to A, B to C, C to A, and C to B.

This provides plenty of scope for adding and escalating conflict.

Introducing a fourth character to the mix can sometimes be too much, making it hard for the reader to keep them straight, but three is perfect. Why do you think triangles are so popular in literature?

Let’s take a look at some examples.

1. The Hunger Games

Katniss is torn between two loves, Gale and Peeta. Each of these men brings out something good in her, fulfilling a need. The ongoing tug of war between what she thinks she wants and what she ends up with creates a compelling dynamic that carries the story through three novels.

Also known as the love triangle, this is an excellent way to apply the Rule of Three in any story, as a main storyline or subplot.

Three creates tension and forces a choice.

2. Casablanca

Like The Hunger Games, the interactions here are primarily between Ilsa and her two lovers.

The story centers on themes of desire vs. honor and sacrifice for another’s happiness. Without Laszlo providing a third side of the triangle, Rick and Ilsa’s dramatic conflict would be considerably flatter.

The story needs the tension. It, once again, creates tension by forcing characters into tough corners that demand hard decisions.

Sam dies, creating a gulf between him and Molly that only Oda Mae can gap.

If Sam could just talk to Molly, they wouldn’t need Oda Mae, but the story wouldn’t have all the lovely dimension and conflict created by the threesome.

The threesome helps raise the story stakes, and these continue to escalate as the plot thickens.

More Uses of the Rule of 3

Though it manifests well in character dynamics, the Rule of Three applies to so much more than love triangles alone.

Because it’s so ingrained in us, we instinctively seek it out and it thereby seizes our attention.

Here are three other ways you can use the Rule of Three in your writing to strengthen your story.

1. Build tension

Story is about a character, in a setting, with a problem.

The character embarks on a series of try/fail cycles. The number of cycles and how long this goes on will vary from story to story, but the reader is subliminally programmed to expect three.

The character makes an attempt and fails; tension is the result.

When the character tries and fails a second time, the tension is heightened. Success on the third try feels right. Four attempts at the same feat is heading toward tedious.

Think Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Once is too easy; twice still doesn’t cut it. Three times is just right.

2. Facilitate memory

There are a couple of aspects to think about related to memory and the rule of three in writing.

Scientific research suggests that humans remember things best in groups of three. Also, our brains like to recognize and analyze patterns.

One point appears random. Two points don’t necessarily correlate. But when a third point of data is added to a scenario, a possible pattern forms, focusing the brain’s attention.

The other aspect is that readers tend to remember something that comes up three times, so you can use this to set up for later payoffs. Mention something early on then bring it up again down the road and you’ve set up an expectation in the reader’s mind.

They remember and anticipate that third appearance.

3. Surprise

Public speakers and comedians use the Rule of Three all the time to deliver important points and punchlines.

You can do it, too, in your writing to spring a surprise. Establish those first two points to get your reader anticipating a third, then twist it.

I discussed this in my article 5 Side-Splitting Ways to Infuse Humor Into Your Writing , and I hope you’ll give that a read. But here are a few short examples of the technique.

“There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.” —Benjamin Disraeli

“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

“Three things your spouse wants you to do in the event of an argument—take a breath, take a hint, and take a hike.” —Joslyn Chase

Veni, Vidi, Vici

The Rule of Three can add conflict and dynamic to your plot. It can challenge your protagonist to make decisions and face consequences.

The Rule of Three can fill gaps in your story's content, and pull your readers into emotional moments that they will remember long after they're over.

Now that you have a firmer grasp on the Rule of Three, you are ready to go forth and conquer!

Just be sure to remember the rule, know how to use it, and have fun!

How about you? Do you notice the Rule of Three in the books and movies you enjoy? Do you use it in your writing? Tell us about it in the comments .

Let’s write a scene using the Rule of Three. Choose a prompt from below or come up with your own idea. Write a scene where the character makes three attempts to solve a problem, escalating the tension after each failure, and ending with success on the third try.

Liza has her routine ready for the cheerleader tryouts, but she’s not certain her ankle injury is sufficiently healed and it’s go time!
Ralph can’t believe he’s actually traveling through space on a NASA assignment. Everything is awesome until he tries to contact Mission Control and the equipment fails.
Jennie has been kidnapped and locked in a basement room. She must escape, using only the contents of her pocket and a piece of dirty string.

Write for fifteen minutes . When you’re finished, post your work in the Pro Practice Workshop and be sure to leave feedback for your fellow writers! Commenting on three writers' stories sounds just about right, don't you think?

Joslyn Chase

Any day where she can send readers to the edge of their seats, prickling with suspense and chewing their fingernails to the nub, is a good day for Joslyn. Pick up her latest thriller, Steadman's Blind , an explosive read that will keep you turning pages to the end. No Rest: 14 Tales of Chilling Suspense , Joslyn's latest collection of short suspense, is available for free at joslynchase.com .

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How to Hook Your Audience: The Rule of Three

May 16, 2017 | yalepress | Current Affairs , Humanities

David Crystal—

If there’s one thing that seems to promote eloquent language more than anything else, that is found repeatedly in the speech of any orator I’ve ever listened to, that appears in every language I’ve ever studied, it’s the “rule of three.”

Eloquence is infectious. You notice a clever trick in an eloquent speech and think to yourself, “I could do that.” So you try it out. And if it works, you keep it in your repertoire. One of the best bits of advice if you’re an inexperienced speaker is to listen to as many speeches as possible, and cherry-pick the successful strategies that you think will best suit your own personal style.

The rule of three is one of the oldest tricks in the eloquence business. All public speakers know that they can get a round of applause if they use a triple with structural parallelism:

I was with you yesterday! I am with you today! And I will be with you tomorrow! [Cheers]

You have to put it across effectively, of course, with a crescendo peaking on the third item. It would be a curiously bathetic effect if you started with maximum loudness on the first item and ended with a pianissimo on the third.

What you must never do, of course, is overdo it. Imagine a speaker who has just produced a triple like that. If he went on to immediately produce another one, the effect would begin to pall.

I said this in Brussels! I said it in New York! And I am saying it now in London! [Cheers??]

If a rhetorical trick is used twice in quick succession, listeners begin to notice it, and that’s the worst thing that can happen to a speaker. When the style gets in front of the message it becomes a distraction instead of a reinforcement. It’s the same with any art form: seeing the brush strokes rather than the painting, or hearing the virtuoso playing rather than the concerto. The French essayist Michel de Montaigne makes the point: “Shame on all eloquence which leaves us with a taste for itself not for its substance.”

The strategy operates regardless of gender, age, class, or occupation:

We now know that it is not government, but free enterprise, which is capable of creating wealth, providing jobs and raising living standards. (Margaret Thatcher, 12 December 1990) Talk to your friends, your family, your neighbours. (Hillary Clinton, 13 June 2015) . . . . . . a time defined by selfishness and greed, inculcated cruelty and institutionalized self-centeredness . . . (Russell Brand, 28 July 2015) . . . they should be more clear with us about who the military is fighting for, who our tax dollars are supporting and, ultimately, how much does the prime rib cost? (Lady Gaga, 20 September 2010)

And a powerful double triple from Aung Sang Suu Kyi:

It is not enough merely to call for freedom, democracy and human rights. There has to be a united determination to persevere in the struggle, to make sacrifices in the name of enduring truths, to resist the corrupting influences of desire, ill will, ignorance and fear.

If we explore their entire speeches, we find triples popping up all over the place, but not in such a way that they draw attention to themselves. That’s the clever bit: to hide the virtuosity.

How is it done? By varying the way in which triples are used. It’s not just clauses that can be grouped in threes. It could be phrases, single words, or whole paragraphs. Obama uses each of these in his next three paragraphs. Here they are in full, with the triples in bold and main pauses marked by dashes (and including any hesitancies, such as “th” below):

It’s – the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches — in numbers this nation has never seen — by people who waited three hours and four hours — many for the first time in their lives — because they believed that this time – must be different — that their voices – could be that difference. It’s the answer spoken by young and old — rich and poor — Democrat and Republican — black, white — Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight – disabled and not disabled – Americans who sent a message to the world – that we have never been – just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states – we are and always will be the United States of America. It’s the answer – th that led those – who’ve been told for so long – by so many to be cynical – and fearful – and doubtful about what we can achieve – to put their hands on the arc of history — and bend it once more toward – the hope of a better day. – It’s been a long time coming – but tonight – because of what we did on this day – in this election – at this defining moment – change has come to America.

Triples continue throughout the rest of the speech, as we’ll see, but at intervals, so that they don’t become intrusive.

What tricks are used to fill the spaces between the triples? A different stylistic technique is needed, to provide variety and maintain pace, and the most common is the “magical number two” – the use of pairs, and pairs within pairs. Here’s the second paragraph again, but this time with the pairs in square brackets:

It’s – the answer told [by lines that stretched around [schools and churches] — in numbers this nation has never seen] — [by people who waited [three hours and four hours] — many for the first time in their lives] — because they believed [that this time – must be different — that their voices – could be that difference].

The “by lines” and “by people” contrast is a pair – but each contains another pair. Note how, strictly speaking, the pairing is unnecessary. He could have said simply:

lines that stretched around buildings . . . by people who waited hours . . .

but the pairing is semantically more concrete and rhythmically more effective. A triad would have been unwise here, for the underlying meaning is actually rather banal, and to keep it going would be to produce a feeling of padding:

by people who waited three hours and four hours and five hours . . .

Speakers who haven’t really got anything to say do this a lot. The speech fills the time, but listeners go away wondering what they got out of it.

Pairs, as with triples, have to vary if they’re not to become boring. The main pairings in the second paragraph are quite complex – whole clauses. What Obama does in his third paragraph is, to my mind, the most daring piece in the whole speech: a list almost entirely consisting of pairs:

It’s the answer spoken by [young and old] — [rich and poor] — [Democrat and Republican] — [black, white] – Hispanic, Asian, Native American [gay, straight] – [disabled and not disabled] – Americans who sent a message to the world – that we have never been – just [a collection of individuals] or [a collection of [red states] and [blue states]] – we [are and always will be] the United States of America.

Beware lists, especially lists of people! They’re dangerous things, because they prompt listeners to notice who might have been left out – although that day I don’t think anyone was counting. This was a hugely effective listing, which generated sporadic applause throughout.

You’ll have noticed that the pairs aren’t all the same. Some pairs are linked by and , and some aren’t. The “collection” pairing is linked by or . Why? Just as triads have to vary to avoid monotony, so do pairs. It could become a boring list otherwise. But there’s a subtle semantic issue also. The omission of and reduces the force of the contrast and allows the suggestion that the list can be extended. Unlike young and old and the others, the list of ethnic groups is open- ended. It implies that there are other groups apart from the ones mentioned, and this suggestion is reinforced by an uncoordinated triple ( Hispanic, Asian, Native American . . .). Notice how this effect would be lost if and were added: Hispanic, Asian, and Native American . Running straight on to gay, straight without a pause also helps to avoid giving the impression that the list is complete.

From The Gift of the Gab by David Crystal , published by Yale University Press in 2016. Reproduced by permission.

David Crystal is an independent scholar with lifelong experience as a lecturer, public speaker, and broadcaster. He lives in Holyhead, UK.

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How to Use the Rule of Three to Improve Your Writing

Writing | rule of three, last updated on: june 19, 2023.

You might be familiar with the phrase, Good things come in threes : The Three Musketeers, The Three Wise Men, The Three Little Pigs . . . . In fact, for writers, you might even say that three is a magic number. An age-old idea, the rule of three is a go-to literary device used by authors, screenwriters, speech writers, and, especially, comedians who need to pack in a 1-2 punch! So, let’s take a closer look at the rule of three as it’s applied in literature.

What is the rule of three?

The rule of three is a principle that suggests people understand and retain information more readily when it is presented as a pattern. Often the number 3 is used because it is the smallest number that can actually form a pattern. But the rule of three goes beyond simple pattern recognition. In the case of writing, the rule of three is often employed on the sentence level to craft memorable phrases and punchier lines. William Shakespeare used the rule of three regularly. Take, for example, Mark Antony’s speech in Julius Caesar , which starts: Friends, Romans, countrymen . . . By using a short, succinct, and rhythmic 3-word pattern (i.e. the rule of three), Shakespeare crafted an opening line that’s stood the test of time.

The rule of three also works as a structural tool to effectively pace a story. By delivering information to readers in sets of three, writers can build more compelling and complex narratives. For this reason, standard practice in writing is to pace a book around three key story moments.

From sentence structure all the way through to plot points, the rule of three can impact every decision an author makes when writing a book. Not convinced? Then think about it this way: every story, no matter what it’s about, contains the same three parts: a beginning, a middle, and an end. These three elements come together in what is known as a three-part structure.

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Using the rule of three to pace a story

When it comes to plotting a manuscript, the rule of three serves one very important purpose: it helps keep a story moving along at the right speed. This is especially true in regard to overcoming the main conflict of a book.

As readers, we want to root for the protagonist of a book. We want to cheer them on as they try to accomplish whatever it is they’ve set out to do. But we also need time to get to know them. To care for them. To revel in their successes and sympathize with their failures.

A protagonist who tries to overcome their problems and succeeds on the first try has no story to tell. When a protagonist fails once and then succeeds, their success can often seem like it comes too easily. Such immediate success is a letdown for a reader who wants to see a protagonist persevere and truly overcome enormous odds to succeed. By the same token, a protagonist who tries and fails four, five, six times begins to grow tedious. By the time so many failures have stacked up, there is an excellent chance that a reader has lost interest in the character’s journey.

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Relying on the rule of three allows for a balance. It allows the author to drive their characters (and their readers!) toward the climax of the book. By employing the rule of three, the protagonist has time to face challenges and fail in their quest, but their journey does not drag on so long that it becomes boring. But there is a catch. In writing, and especially in picture books, the rule of three can work one of two ways: a character can try twice and succeed on the third time (three total attempts) or the character can experience three failures before ultimately succeeding in their quest.

In a picture book, the rule of three is typically applied as seen in the image below. Attempts one and two (and sometimes three) occur during the rising action of the story, while the final attempt occurs at the story’s climax, when the problem is fixed or the challenge overcome.

A graphical interpretation of the 5 elements of plot: introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, conclusion

Pictures books can also employ the rule of three in THREES. Below is an example from Periwinkle Smith and the Big, Pink Spot by John & Wendy. This scene shows one of three SETS of attempts made by Periwinkle to solve her problem. Within this attempt, she tries three different things, and across the book she makes three different KINDS of attempts to overcome the obstacle, doubling the use of the rule of three within the book.

When employing the rule of three, keep in mind that it often appears as a chain reaction. This happened, which caused this to happen, and then this BIG thing happened. The goal is for each action to build on the last, increasing excitement and drama with each new piece of the puzzle that’s introduced.

Examples of the rule of three in storytelling

While the rule of three often applies to the actions of a single character, that is not always the case. The rule of three may also show three different characters undertaking similar tasks. In such a situation, it is expected that each subsequent character will be more successful than the last. Take, for example, the three ghosts from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol . While the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Future are all unique characters, they all serve the same role of escorting Scrooge, and their appearance breaks the story into three distinct parts. As Scrooge moves from time to time, his behavior changes, indicating the increased success of each Ghost.

An image showing the rule of three in storytelling, using examples from the book The Fudge Judge

Let’s take a closer look at how authors utilize the rule of three as a structural tool by examining some classic children’s fables and fairy tales that you’re likely already familiar with. As you’re reading, pay close attention to how the writer gradually raises the stakes with each event in the story, ultimately reaching the narrative’s climax at the third part.

The Three Little Pigs

Most everyone knows this children’s fable, which tells the story of three little pigs and a wolf who wants to huff and puff and blow their house down. While the title of the story itself alludes to the rule of three, we can see with a closer look that the rule of three actually creates the backbone for the entire story.

Event 1: The first little pig builds his house out of straw. The wolf huffs and puffs, easily blowing the pig’s house down.
Event 2: The second little pig builds his house out of sticks. The wolf huffs and puffs, easily blowing the pig’s house down.
Event 3: The third little pig builds his house out of bricks. The wolf huffs and puffs, but is unable to blow the pig’s house down.

The Three Billy-Goats Gruff

In this classic folktale, three goats cross a bridge to a hillside so they can graze on the lush grasses. Unbeknownst to them, a hungry troll lives under the bridge who wants to eat them.

Event 1: The troll threatens to eat the smallest billy goat, but is convinced to wait for the second, larger goat.
Event 2: The troll threatens to eat the second, medium-sized billy goat, but is convinced to wait for the third, larger goat.
Event 3: The troll threatens to eat the third, largest billy goat, but the goat pokes him with his horns and crushes him.

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Goldilocks and the Three Bears

This fairy tale uses the rule of three quite a lot—there are three bears, three bowls of porridge, three sitting chairs, and three beds. But this story goes a step further, doubling the rule to allow for six major events!

Event 1: Goldilocks tries three bowls of porridge. The first is “too hot,” the second “too cold,” and the third is “just right.”
Event 2: Goldilocks sits in each of the three bears’ chairs. The first is “too hard,” the second “too soft,” and the third is “just right.”
Event 3: Goldilocks decides to rest in a bear’s bed. The first is “too firm,” the second “too mushy,” and the third is “just right.”
Event 4: The bears come home and notice their home in disarray. Papa Bear declares that someone has been eating his porridge. Mother Bear declares the same. Then Baby Bear announces that someone has eaten up all of his porridge.

Pro Tip: Here, the story not only employs the rule of three to show the bears walking through the damage one item at a time, but also in the character’s speech, having each mimic nearly the same lines, one after the other.

Event 5: In the living room, Papa Bear and Mama Bear announce that someone has been sitting in their chairs. Baby Bear counters by saying that someone sat in his and broke it!
Event 6: Upstairs, Papa Bear and Mama Bear notice the first two beds are unkempt. Then they find Goldilocks asleep in Little Bears’ bed. She jumps out the window and the bears never see her again.

Used in this way, not only does the rule of three help writers craft more compelling and complex narratives, but it also helps them craft memorable phrases and punchier lines.

How the rule of three applies outside of plot

While the rule of three often applies to plot, it can be utilized in a number of other ways. Consider, for example, a classic love triangle. Here, three unique stories and points of view come together to form one cohesive story.

Applied in sentences, a tricolon is a grouping of three distinct sets of words that mimic one another in length and rhythm, all the while reinforcing a memorable phrase. When you think of the Declaration of Independence, what words spring to mind? Probably these: “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” This part sticks in our minds because we can recognize the pattern of three clear, distinct but related ideas.

Tricolon also works well in picture books as a way to engage children in the rhythm of a story. Below is another example from Periwinkle Smith and the Big, Pink Spot in which the use of tricolon can be seen through Periwinkle’s actions.

An image showing the use of tricolon from Periwinkle Smith and the Big Pink Spot by John and Wendy

Here’s another example from the Gettysburg Address: “A government of the people, by the people, for the people.” Here again, the repetition and the use of the rule of three make these words memorable long after they were first spoken. Similar to a tricolon, a hendiatris is a series of three individual words that deliver a common message or idea. Shakespeare is well-known for utilizing this writing principle, especially in his classic, Julius Caesar : “Veni, vidi, vici” (I came, I saw, I conquered). Other more modern examples include: Live, Laugh, Love; Peace, Love, and Happiness ; and Reduce, Reuse, Recycle .

In writing, lists also tend to be composed of three elements. Take a look at the following example:

The evil Pirate Captain put his plan into motion—his motley crew would fire their cannons at The Carpe Diem, sneak aboard the ship, and kidnap the King’s daughter.

Here, the captain is laying out the three things that need to be done. As with plot, three is the magic number here, as two things would seem too few, but four or more feels like too many.

Now that you’ve had a chance to see some examples, practice writing your own story using the rule of three. But, most importantly, remember to have fun as you’re writing!

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Kindle Calculators: 3 Must-Have Book Publishing Calculators

Published: July 25, 2022

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3 Impactful Ways to Use Rule of Three in Speech Writing

Understanding the usage of rule of three in speeches.

Being a professional writer, you must need to know how to make your speeches powerful. You can do it by adding various types of creative elements, such as the rule of three effect. It is a technique that is used to simplify the summary of any speech.

It is not just a usage of some specific words, but it offers a complete view of your speech. In this blog, we will discuss how to write a speech using this precise technique.

We’ll define how it can bring impact in your words and can make your speeches more insightful. But, first let’s understand the basics of this practice in detail below.

What is the Rule of Three?

The rule of three allows you to make speeches more effective and understandable. It is a practice that can be used in all types of speeches, stories, narrations and other writing activities. It simplifies the complete message of a speech and makes it easy to understand for everyone.

This practice was first invented during the classical times of roman empire. They coined this word by using a particular Latin maxim “ omne trium perfectum ”.

It precisely means that “everything that comes in three is perfect” . This led writers to incorporate the technique in their speeches, so that their central point can become strong.

Today, it is used extensively by writers around the globe. It offers a basic principle of stating the idea in three short words or sentences. It is specifically used by those writers who want to propose concise but insightful messages in a few words. This allows them to represent their whole story smartly to the people, perfectly in summarized words.

How to Use Rule of Three in Speech Writing

You need to pick the words smartly for a convincing speech. Here are the 3 ways with which you can implement rule of three in your speech writing. Also, if you are short on time , you can take help from a professional speech writing service provider to effectivity use rule of three in your speeches.

1. Three-part Structure

Using a three-part structure, you can implement the rule of three persuasive technique in your speeches. It will give it a more optimized look for better understanding of the users. These structures can contain different ideas according to your approach.

We all know pretty well how to structure a speech according to the given central idea. It is a basic attribute that makes the whole plot organized and understandable for the audience.

For instance, you can start with an idea buildup in the first part, then explanation in the second and finally delivering the twist or conclusion at the end.

All of the structuring in this writing technique precisely depends on your outline. Therefore, you must need to focus on it to make your speeches powerful.

2. Utilizing Tricolon

Tricolon is a famous technique to accommodate the idea of rule of three in your speeches. It is the smartest and most effective way to cater the rule of three practice. It does not use much space and showcases your whole idea smartly.

Moreover, it is simple to understand and allows you to propagate your central thought easily.

The famous Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address perfectly shows the usage of tricolon in the rule of three practice. His famous words “We cannot desecrate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground” is quite famous.

It demonstrates how a whole story can be compiled into three short sentences, giving people a great illustration of creativity .

3. Hendiatris

Hendiatris can be termed as an advanced form of tricolon. It is a technique in which we utilize just three specific words to convey the whole idea. It looks simple and allows you to establish your point cleverly.

You must have seen this type of combination in the advertising slogans such as “Reuse, Reduce, Recycle”. It is a very famous slogan used by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The organization uses this slogan to demonstrate the idea behind their overall green cleaning campaign.

Considering the above example, Hendiatris can be easily accommodated in your speeches. It will certainly make your central idea to get noticed properly.

However, just make sure to pick the right words in this type of practice. This is necessary because each word shows some specific meaning. That is where you need to be smart and have to pick thrice of them cleverly.

Where Should You Use Rule of Three Effect

It is important to know how to write a speech using the rule of three. It is not a very common technique and must be implemented only in major places. Here are the two spaces where you can target the rule of three psychology.

Divide the Speech Using Rule of Three

The rule of three can be best utilized to divide speeches. It suits perfect to organize lengthy content in different parts. Many people utilize this practice to summarize their whole idea in particular phases.

According to seasoned writers, it is quite beneficial to divide speeches using this particular technique. It allows all the audience to acknowledge your message properly.

You can use the general speech outline i.e. Introduction, body and conclusion to accommodate rule of three. It will help you to narrate your story properly without making anything lengthy.

Highlight Particular Words Using Rule of Three

The rule of three also highlights particular words and phrases. The above defined example perfectly describes it’s to-the-point usage. The basic idea for using it in phrases is to emphasize key messages in your speech. It helps the people to take interest and understand your core points easily.

The famous tagline of ecommerce giant eBay “Buy it, Sell it, Love it” also illustrates the pinpoint usage of rule of three. It shows the complete brand idea behind just three words i.e. to let people buy, sell and visit the store again and again.

Deliver a memorable speech with our expertly crafted speeches!

Famous Rule of Three Examples

Here are some of the famous rule of three examples you can easily learn from.

1. “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears”

It is quite a famous quote taken from a classical play of William Shakespeare. People around the world still use it in novels to represent the famous statement of Mark Antony.

2. Blood, Sweat & Tears

Blood, Sweat & Tears is a famous New York based rock band founded during the 60s. Their classical rock songs are still very much loved by the American people.

3. “I came, I saw, I conquered”

It is a very famous English phrase commonly used in writing. It was originated from an ancient Latin term Veni, vidi, vici .

Find Further Reading:

Popular Argumentative Speech Topic Ideas
Trending Persuasive Speech Topic Ideas

Final Words Explaining the Rule of Three Psychology

This practice provides a spectacular opportunity to state your central idea. If you are looking to convey some powerful thoughts in your speech, consider using the effect of rule of three. It offers a big takeaway in terms of providing impactful messages, that too by using lesser space.

The above article about rule of three in speech writing is quite self-explanatory. It has defined how and where to use the rule of three in lengthy speeches. This practice allows you to describe a baseline in a nutshell, rightly by using persuasive words.

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Rule of Three: Thinking Visually in Threes

Have you ever categorized information into threes?
Have you ever told a joke using threes?
Have you ever visualized in threes?

Ah yes, the Rule of Three… a rule that is engrained into the bedrock of our culture… a rule that we seemingly take for granted. What is this rule all about anyway?

The Rule of Three is part of our jokes, it’s part of our speeches, it’s part of our music, it’s part of our plays (three act structure), it’s a part of our art, it’s part of film-making (trilogies), it’s part of language, and it’s part of how we think, make sense of, and cluster information.

This is all well and good Adam, but how does the Rule of Three apply to visual thinking?

We’ll get to that in a moment. First let’s take a look at what exactly is the Rule of Three.

What Exactly is the Rule of Three?

The Rule of Three is a typical pattern used in stories, nursery rhymes, parables , jokes, comedy and speeches.

The human mind actually enjoys thinking in patterns . In fact, we naturally look for and create patterns everyday, in everything we do. An example of this idea is within our language where adjectives are often grouped together in threes in order to emphasize an idea.

The Rule of Three is relevant because the number three is the lowest figure that can be used to form patterns in our mind. This is important, because the first instance of something occurring, always comes down to chance; the second instance is considered a coincidence; while the third instance is perceived as a pattern.

Proponents of the Rule of Three state that things are more engaging, satisfying and more effectively presented when using this rule. In fact, it is said that an audience is more likely to consume and absorb any type of information presented to them when it is grouped into threes.

Now that you know what the Rule of Three is all about, let’s look at some practical examples.

How the Rule of Three is Used

Comedy and jokes.

The Rule of Three is often used in comedy and jokes because three is the smallest number that can be used to form a distinguishable pattern. Moreover, the series of three points is often used to create progression from one point to another. Usually the purpose of the first two instances is to build tension, while the third instance releases the tension.

The Rule of Three is also often used in language:

Ready, aim, fire…
Ready, set, go…
Lights, camera, action…
Reading, writing and arithmetic…
Three, two, one… Go team!
Father, son and holy spirit…
Mind, body, spirit…
Stop, look and listen…
Blood, sweat and tears…
That’s the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth…
The good, the bad and the ugly…
The third time’s the charm…
Give me three solid examples? (removes chance from the equation)

Storytelling

The Rule of Three is often used in storytelling. For instance, the typical story has a beginning, middle and end. Furthermore, the protagonist often goes through three main challenges or obstacles before attaining his/her objective.

We also find triples used in many other ways multiple times throughout the story to get a variety of point across to the reader. The triples that are used, form patterns. These patterns likewise feel comfortable because they are aligned with our mental models of the world — how we think and process information

Nursery Rhymes

The Rule of Three is used in nursery rhymes:

The three little pigs
The three blind mice
Goldilocks and the three bears
The three Musketeers
The three wise men
The Thee Stooges (not a nursery rhyme, but entertaining)

Content Creation

The Rule of Three applies to content creation because people think best and remember concepts far more easily when they are grouped into threes. Therefore when writing a blog article for instance, it’s best to focus on only three main ideas.

Speech Writing

The Rule of Three is a powerful speech writing technique that allows you to express your concepts more completely, eloquently and memorably. First you tell your audience what you’re going to tell them. Then you tell them. And finally you tell them what you’ve told them. Also within the main body of your speech you would highlight three main points that you want your audience to takeaway.

Art and Design

The Rule of Three is used in art and design. It’s actually a rule of thirds where artists place items in the intersections between thirds-lines to help them draw more attention to their artwork.

Song Writing

Finally, the Rule of Three is used in song writing with the chorus often being sang three times.

The Rule of Three and Visual Thinking

As you can see, the Rule of Three is everywhere. It’s actually ingrained into our society, culture and psyche. It influences how we think, remember and process information on a daily basis. But how is it relevant to visual thinking?

In a previous post I mentioned the 6-12 Kiss Principle of visual thinking . The article explains how we should focus on getting our point across using no more than 12 core visual elements. Any more, and our message will suffer, which can lead to confusion and misinterpretation.

To further enhance the 6-12 Kiss Principle of visual thinking, it’s critical that you incorporate the Rule of Three into your visuals. To do this, simply take the 6 to 12 core visual elements you will be presenting and divide them up into three core messages that build the foundations of your idea. In essence, these three core messages become your modules, and each visual thinking element becomes a topic within each of these modules.

Using this strategy to present your visuals — or simply to think visually — will ensure that your ideas are organized and aligned with how we think and process information on a daily basis. I’ll give you more details and provide you with practical examples once we start delving into visual thinking techniques and presentation methods.

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Substance, or what you say
Style. How you deliver and the words you choose to use.
Impact . Did the speaker make a difference in the audience? Does it have a call to action?

But before you write the first word, you need to determine the framework surrounding your speech. Is it going to be persuasive or informative? Is it a daytime or evening event? Who will your audience be? Why should they care about your message? How will they benefit from the information you give them? Will you be giving the speech or are you writing it for someone else? In business, many times you’ll be called upon to write for your CEO. To successfully write for another speaker, you need access and collaboration with the speaker (CEO). If you don’t have it, you need to ask for it. You need to spend some prep time with this person. How do they gesture? Do they have phrases they naturally use in conversation? You’ll need: a Pre-draft meeting, a first draft meeting, a revision meeting, rehearsal, and a post speech interview. I suggest having as few people as possible there and make sure you bring your own ideas to the meeting. Speeches need a formal structure just like an essay. They have an opening, a body, and a closing. Introductions should be 20 sec to 2 min. It eases your listener into speech. Make sure your information follows a logical order. Your audience must believe your speaker as well. Do they share an interest? Try sharing something special about you. It will open their curiosity. A word of warning. Humor is best used carefully. The safest form of humor is for the speaker to make fun of themselves. It’s also the fastest way to lose the audience if an attempt at humor goes bad. Once you move to the body of the speech, you need to choose one theme or purpose. Tell your audience what you are telling them, tell them again, then tell them that you told them. If your audience can tell you don’t care about them or the topic, they won’t care either. One of the best forms to use for your speech is the “Golden rule of 3.” Tell your audience you have three thoughts to share with them. Make sure your most important is the last item told. The next most important idea should be your first one. And finally, the least important should be in the middle because it is often forgotten. Good speeches use examples. Make sure you round numbers off but don’t use too many stats. People zone out on numbers. Use illustrations. Try to paint a picture for your listener. The best speechwriters, write for the ear. Speeches are not written to be read. Keep it simple. Use active voice. Use contractions. Vivid verbs are best. Vary your sentence lengths. Avoid jargon. Repetition is key. Ask rhetorical questions. Use personal pronouns. Use alliteration. You want to be the speaker they remember. If you appear genuine, you’ll be a step closer. End on strong note. Your closing shouldn’t end with a whimper. You need a strong call to action. It should be brief. Make it a challenge and restate purpose. Once you’ve got a completed draft, read it aloud. Listen for tongue twisters. Are your ideas clear? Do the transitions flow? Does every word you chose have meaning? If not, delete it. Now you’re ready to give the speech! Smile when you give it. Record it.

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The Rule of Three: Unlocking the Power of Persuasive Writing

Have you ever wondered why some messages are more memorable and persuasive than others? The secret to their success may lie in a simple yet powerful technique called the Rule of Three. This age-old writing principle can make your content more engaging, persuasive, and memorable by grouping ideas, words, or phrases in threes. Let’s explore the world of the Rule of Three and unlock the power of persuasive writing!

Key takeaways

The Rule of Three is a powerful tool for persuasive writing, with origins in ancient times and applications from marketing campaigns to comedy.

Use three-part lists, characters & headlines for balance & rhythm. Mix up sentence structures and lengths to avoid predictability or repetition.

Case studies show how successful brands use the Rule of Three to create memorable content that resonates with their audience.

The power of three: why it works

The Rule of Three works its magic by taking advantage of our brain’s affinity for pattern recognition. Since three is the smallest number required to create a pattern, our minds are drawn to it, making content more engaging and easier to remember. You can see the Rule of Three in action in various contexts, from fairy tales like “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” and “Three Blind Mice” to advertising slogans like “Just Do It”.

Many memorable writings and speeches have used the Rule of Three, such as Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I have a dream” speech, which repeats the phrase “I have a dream” three times. Another example is the Latin phrase “Veni, vidi, vici,” which translates to “I came, I saw, I conquered” and was uttered by Julius Caesar after a swift victory. Implementing the Rule of Three in your writing helps craft content that not only stays in the reader’s mind but also persuades them more convincingly.

To incorporate the Rule of Three in your own work, try using three parallel elements, such as words, phrases, or ideas, to create a memorable and persuasive message. For example, in a sales pitch, you could highlight three key benefits of your product or service, or in a blog post, you could present your main points as three bullet points. Experimentation with the Rule of Three will help you understand its impact in making your writing more memorable and engaging.

The origins of the rule of three

holy, trinity, emblem The Holy Trinity as an example of the Rule of Three

The concept of the Rule of Three dates back to ancient philosophers like Aristotle, who recognised the human tendency to remember and process information in groups of three. His work on rhetoric emphasised the importance of ethos (character), pathos (emotion), and logos (reason) as the three crucial elements for persuasion, and he argued for three genres of public speech, further cementing the idea of the Rule of Three in persuasive writing.

Over time, the Rule of Three has remained prevalent, finding its place in various forms like the Holy Trinity in Christianity, which includes the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the three wise men in the Bible, and even the English common law oath – “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth”. The widespread use of the Rule of Three in different contexts not only highlights its effectiveness but also demonstrates its deep-rooted connection to human cognition and communication.

Crafting memorable messages: The Rule of Three in action

Examples of the Rule of Three can be found in various contexts, and here are three examples: from marketing campaigns like McDonald’s “I’m lovin’ it” slogan to famous speeches like Abraham Lincoln’s “government of the people, by the people, for the people”. These examples demonstrate the effectiveness of the Rule of Three in capturing the audience’s attention and making the message more memorable.

In literature, the Rule of Three is often used to create memorable stories and characters, such as the three spirits in Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” including the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the third spirit. By using the Rule of Three in storytelling, writers can create a sense of completeness, balance, and resonance that sticks in the reader’s mind.

As you craft your messages, use the Rule of Three to emphasise key points, establish a rhythm, and enhance your writing style. For example, in a public service message, you could use three adjectives to describe a situation or three parallel elements to make a point.

Building your story: Applying the Rule of Three to structure

illustration that visualizes the concept of the three key parts of a story: Beginning, Middle, and End, arranged in interconnected circles.

Applying the Rule of Three to story structure can help create a compelling narrative that resonates with readers. One common application is the three-act structure, which breaks a story into three parts: a beginning, middle, and end. This structure provides a balance between introducing the characters and setting, developing the plot, and resolving the conflict, making it easier for readers to follow and engage with the story.

Another way to use the Rule of Three in story structure is to create three characters with different perspectives, adding depth and complexity to the narrative. For example, in the Harry Potter series, the trio of Harry, Ron, and Hermione offers three different viewpoints on the events that unfold, making the story more engaging and relatable to a wider range of readers. The presence of a third character in this trio adds an extra layer of intrigue and helps to maintain the rule of three.

Experiment with the Rule of Three in your own storytelling by incorporating three-part lists, three-word headlines, or three character perspectives. In doing so, you enhance the engagement, memorability, and impact of your stories for your readers.

Adding spice to your writing: Stylistic techniques

Incorporating the Rule of Three in your writing doesn’t have to be limited to structure and content. Stylistic techniques like tricolon, hendiatris, and alliteration can also be used to add the power of three to your writing.

Tricolon is a rhetorical device that uses three parallel elements in a sentence, such as “I came, I saw, I conquered.” Hendiatris, on the other hand, uses three words to express a single idea, like “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”.

Alliteration, which involves the repetition of the same sound at the beginning of words, can also be used to emphasise the Rule of Three and create a sense of rhythm and flair. For example, consider the famous advertising slogan “Snap, Crackle, Pop” for Rice Bubbles, which uses alliteration to create a catchy phrase.

Experimenting with these stylistic techniques in your own writing adds zest to your content.

The humorous side of three

Three wise men bringing gifts to baby Jesus

The Rule of Three isn’t limited to persuasive writing and storytelling – it’s also prevalent in comedy, where it’s used to create tension and release through a setup, anticipation, and punchline. By establishing a pattern with the first two elements and then breaking it with a surprising third element, comedians can create humour that is both unexpected and satisfying for the audience.

Famous comedians like Jerry Seinfeld and Eddie Izzard have utilized the Rule of Three in their routines, creating memorable jokes that resonate with audiences and stand the test of time. The Rule of Three is also seen in the classic comedic trio of the Three Stooges, who used the Rule of Three to create hilarious and chaotic situations.

Using the Rule of Three in your comedic writing or performances aids in creating humour that surprises and delights, capturing audience attention. So, whether you’re writing a stand-up routine or crafting a humorous story, give the Rule of Three a try and see the difference it can make in your comedy.

Tips for implementing the Rule of Three in your writing

Begin by pinpointing the key ideas, points, or characters you want to underscore. Consider using three-part lists, three characters with different perspectives, or three-word headlines to create a sense of balance and rhythm in your content. This approach is based on the writing principle of the Rule of Three.

When employing the Rule of Three, maintain a balance between crafting engaging content and steering clear of predictability or repetition. Mixing up your sentence structures and lengths, experimenting with different rhetorical devices, and breaking away from the traditional three-part format can help keep your writing fresh and engaging.

Finally, remember that the Rule of Three is just one tool in your writer’s toolbox. While it can be a powerful technique for creating memorable and persuasive content, don’t be afraid to explore other writing strategies and techniques to add depth and variety to your work. Combining the Rule of Three with other writing strategies results in content that is genuinely engaging and memorable.

Case study: Successful brands using the Rule of Three

Many successful brands have harnessed the power of the Rule of Three in their marketing campaigns, demonstrating its effectiveness in capturing audience attention and creating memorable messages. McDonald’s, for example, used the Rule of Three in their slogan “I’m lovin’ it,” which became an iconic part of their brand identity and resonated with customers worldwide.

Nike uses the Rule of Three in their marketing efforts. By focusing on emotional storytelling, celebrity endorsements, and innovative products, Nike has created a powerful brand image that connects with their target audience and drives sales.

These case studies showcase the effectiveness of the Rule of Three in marketing and brand communication, proving that it can be a valuable tool for businesses looking to create memorable and persuasive content. Incorporation of the Rule of Three in your marketing initiatives helps seize your audience’s attention and leaves a long-lasting impression on their perception of your brand.

Overcoming common challenges with the Rule of Three

Though the Rule of Three can effectively assist in creating engaging and unforgettable content, it’s important to stay aware of potential challenges. Striking the right balance between using the technique effectively and avoiding overuse can be difficult. Overusing the Rule of Three can lead to repetitive or predictable content, diminishing its impact on the reader.

To overcome these challenges, consider:

Varying the number of elements used in your writing

Exploring alternative patterns like the Rule of Four or the Rule of Five

Incorporating other rhetorical devices and techniques to add variety and depth to your content.

The Rule of Three is a powerful writing technique that can help you create engaging, persuasive, and memorable content by grouping ideas, words, or phrases in threes. From its origins in ancient philosophy to its application in storytelling, comedy, and marketing, the Rule of Three has proven to be an effective tool for capturing the attention of audiences and making a lasting impact.

By incorporating the Rule of Three in your own writing, you can harness its power to create content that resonates with readers and leaves a lasting impression. So why not give the Rule of Three a try in your next writing project and unlock the power of persuasive writing?

Frequently asked questions

What is the rule of 3 example.

The rule of three is a classic storytelling device where three examples are provided for a point to be made – such as in the fairy tales of the Three Little Pigs, Three Billy Goats Gruff, and Goldilocks and the Three Bears. It can also be used with phrasing, such as “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” or “Government of the people, by the people, for the people”.

How do you explain the rule of three?

The Rule of Three is a persuasive technique that states that groups of three are more memorable, emotionally resonant, and persuasive than one or two. It is an effective way to communicate ideas, thoughts, events, characters, or sentences.

Why does the Rule of Three work?

The Rule of Three works because it satisfies our natural desire for patterns; the number three is the minimum required to create a recognisable pattern.

Can you provide examples of the Rule of Three in action?

The Rule of Three is exemplified in popular culture, from McDonald’s “I’m lovin’ it” to Abraham Lincoln’s famous speech and Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”.

How can I implement the Rule of Three in my writing?

To implement the Rule of Three in your writing, use three-part lists, create three characters with different perspectives, or craft three-word headlines to engage readers.

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What is The Rule of Three in Writing And How to Use It?

Antoine Bechara

Psychology has a special place in writing. The rule of three is especially powerful because people can easily remember things in groups of three.

A book having three characters, a novel written in three parts, and a central story idea having three friends are all examples that reflect the potential of three in writing.

The human brain is wired in such a manner that it can remember three things easily but gets confused if there are too many characters in the story.

This article dives into the rule of three in writing, why it is so special, and how to use it to improve our writing.

Table of Contents

What is The Rule of Three?

The rule of three is a writing principle based on the idea that the human brain processes information as patterns.

Three is the smallest number that humans remember as a set.

Hence, anything that is written as three is more satisfying, humorous, and catchy.

Using the rule of three in writing takes advantage of the way our brain is wired to convey information and make it stick. Even the best marketing books follow this rule.

Why is it so Special?

Human brains are good at patterns and remember them more easily. The rule of three creates a comfortable pattern and makes information more memorable.

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are the three important words in American history. It is even referred to as the most influential phrase in the history of the English language. When you add the rule of three to a phrase or a speech, it goes from good to great.

You can use the rule of three to:

Deliver stand-out presentations
Prepare engaging content
Write catchy brand slogans

Now, let’s look at the importance of the rule of three in storytelling.

Importance of Rule of Three in Writing

Hence, it is widely used while writing a book, script, or even dialogues and slogans.

For example:

Using the rule of three in a sales pitch or product presentation will help you stand out from the crowd and establish authority as a brand. Many brands use it for curating their marketing slogans.
It also proves beneficial and essential in writing impactful, engaging, and quality content. A good piece of evergreen content is something that incorporates the potential of communicating your message with readers or viewers.

Rule of Three and Storytelling

You must be aware that a story is primarily divided into three main parts. The beginning, the middle, and the conclusion or climax. This division is important because the primary purpose of storytelling is also split into three main parts.

To strengthen the empathetic connection with the audience even further and to bring a natural and lucid tone to the storytelling, modern authors often resort to adopting AI-humanizer in the narrative process. This saves them time and labor while remaining in emotional contact with their audience, which is the most fundamental part of the author-reader relationship, clearly.

The first one is the beginning where you introduce the characters involved in the story with the help of a scene from their day-to-day life in order to attract the attention of the audience.

The middle part is undoubtedly the longest one and involves a whole lot of twists and turns of the characters involved in the story. Then comes the climax, where the storytelling ends and all loose ends are tied up.

Hitting the heart of American storytelling, the “Rule of Three” isn’t just some fancy talk; it’s the secret sauce that makes stories stick, from sea to shining sea. It’s about crafting tales that echo through the canyons of our minds, leaving a mark as lasting as footprints in wet cement. When we weave this trio into our narratives, we’re not just spinning yarns; we’re lighting beacons that guide our audience through the fog, making every word count.

This strategy taps into the purpose of storytelling —to connect, to resonate, and to inspire action, all while keeping it as real as the ground beneath our feet. It’s this rule that helps transform simple stories into legends that are as enduring as the stars and stripes.

Many famous stories use the rule of three prominently. They include The Father, The Son, and The Holy Ghost, The Three Musketeers, Three Ghosts of Christmas Past, Three Little Pigs, and the Three Wise Men.

Sticky Ideas And The Rule of Three

Any piece of information presented in a group of three sticks to our heads instead of a cluster of items given together.

Hence, try to write the information in clusters of three-pointers—for instance, advantages, process, and examples.

Some of the classic examples of the rule of three slogans stuck to our minds are mentioned below.

Stop, look, & listen.
Blood, sweat, and tears.
Faith, Hope, and Charity.
Mind, body, and spirit.
I came, I saw, and I conquered.

How to Use It?

Now that you understand the importance of the rule of three in writing let’s look at how to structure your content using the rule of three.

Three Act Structure in Writing

The Three Act Structure is a writing model that divides the story into three parts, namely the setup, the confrontation, and the resolution.

First Act – The Setup

A good write-up should have a legit set up to keep it intact and flowing. By setup, I mean the brief introduction of the characters involved in the story plot so the readers can connect with them during the story, and no confusion pops in.

If you are writing a movie script or even a book, it is always a good idea to introduce your characters first. Show how their everyday life looks and the turning point or the incident that changes or kicks in the story plot.

You should avoid writing monotonous and boring paragraphs describing the character. Always remember, your introduction is the most crucial part of your content. If you fail to improve customer engagement , all your efforts will go in vain.

You have to plan your setup smartly and wisely and keep yourself in the shoes of your readers or viewers.

A good write-up should have a legit set up to keep it intact and flowing. Tools like ai book writing assistants can help authors craft engaging introductions and smoothly set the premise. AI writing tools analyze narrative flow and character development to provide constructive feedback for improving setup.

While manually planning effective introductions takes effort and wisdom, ai book writing solutions leverage data and algorithms to assess quality and recommend optimizations. By augmenting human creativity with AI, writers can systematize strengthening the critical setup of stories.

Rather than monotonous descriptions, ai book writing assistants suggest variating cadence and scenes to hook readers while seamlessly establishing contexts.

Second Act – The Confrontation

Your story’s middle part is undoubtedly the longest and most challenging to get right.

The second part is crucial because all the twists and turns of the story are going to take place here.

For instance, Jessica’s team won the championship, but Adriana was not sad at all, even after losing. Because, somewhere deep down, she knew what she had won.

They eventually start to meet quite often, and they experience the most intense passion-dip.

The story takes a sharp turn when Adriana is diagnosed with stage 3 prostate cancer.

Third Act – The Resolution

You don’t have to follow monotonous forms of ending or climax.

Your climax should be intense and thought-provoking irrespective of whether your conclusion is happy or sad.

An excellent story plot is something that holds the attention of the viewers till the very last moment and gives a climax that the viewers never saw coming.

For instance, after Adriana was diagnosed with cancer, the doctors lose hope, and Jessica thought she was going to lose Adriana.

But she never truly lost hope and continued the medical proceedings and left no stone unturned in taking care of the woman of her dreams.

Adriana’s condition started improving, but the doctors said she would never be able to have kids. It was difficult for Jessica, but she accepted it, knowing that she at least had Adriana.

This is how you can follow a three-act structure in writing to make your story memorable.

Tricolon is basically a rhetorical term that incorporates three parallel clauses, words, and phrases. It is also known as a triadic sentence.

It can also be referred to as the combination of three lines, stanzas, paragraphs, or even chapters.

One of the classic examples of Tricolon or triadic sentences is “Veni, Vidi, Vici” which is given by William Shakespeare in Julius Caesar. It basically means “I came, I saw, and I conquered.

Tricolon is used to provide a sense of completeness and weight to the phrases.

If some old wives tale is to be believed, using Tricolon phrases helps the readers remember the information almost effortlessly because it has a significant impact on the psychology of the audience.

Many marketers, PR agencies, and paid media agencies thoroughly understand the importance of the Tricolon and also have used it as their marketing slogan.

Let us consider some of the brilliant examples of Tricolon phrases or clauses that personify the overall meaning.

Question – What are the three essential things that matter in property?

Answer – Location, location, and Location!

Abraham Lincon’s quote – of the people, by the people, for the people.
Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.
Wine, women, and song.
Are you going to say the truth, the complete truth, and nothing but the truth?
Thinner, lighter, and faster – iPad 2
Every gun that is made, every warship that is launched, and every rocket fired – President Dwight Eisenhower in his speech to the American Society of Newspaper Editors.
I mostly require three things in a man – handsome, ruthless, & stupid.
I feel rather good about this. I think we’ve all arrived at an extraordinary place, eh? Spiritually, Ecumenically, and Grammatically. – Terry Rossio and Ted Elliott (Pirates of the Caribbean)
Buy it, Sell it. Love it – eBay.
Power, Beauty, and Soul – Aston Martin

Hendiatris

Hendiatris is a figure of speech that is used to emphasize three different words to express a single idea.

It involves treating the two phrases of a group of three nouns and/or treating the third as a modifier.

Many companies or marketers have sought help from Hendiatris and have created beautiful and impactful slogans or mottos that provoke unintended recall.

Let us understand Hendiatris better with the help of a few examples.

Duty, Honor, and Country – United States Military Academy.
Citius, Altius, Fortius – official slogan of the Olympics.
Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity – FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), United States
Truth, Duty, Valour – Royal Military College of Canada
Willing, Able, Ready – Official motto of the Nigerian airforce
Peace, Land, and Bread- the official slogan of the Russian Revolution
Truth, Justice, and the American Way – Official American patriotic slogan.
The Way, The Truth, The Life.
For thine are the kingdom, the power, and the glory.
All the people, the nation, and the languages fell and worshipped the golden image that nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
Jesus says – I am the way, the truth, and the life.

Final Thoughts

Not just writing, three holds a special significance everywhere in the world like Newton’s three laws in Physics or the Rule of Thirds in designing.

For writers, it is crucial to follow the rule of three because it helps the readers remember the characters in the story, and if people can remember the story, they will make it popular.

Successful writers and marketers have used it for a long time. AI writing tools like Jasper AI are even using the rule of three to write compelling copy. It’s something we’ll see a lot more of in the future.

The Latin phrase ‘Omne trium perfectum’ means three is perfect for everything. You can use the power of three for writing marketing materials, presentations, video scripts, or jingles.

Happy writing in three.

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Scriptwriting

What is the Rule of Three — A Literary Device for Writers

T he rule of three is one of the most important rules in all of writing – but what is the rule of three? We’re going to explore this fascinating and useful rule by looking at examples in sentences, situations, and stories. This article will serve as a referential guide for you to circle back to whenever you’re stuck in a writing jam.

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Rule of Three Literary Devices

Why is the rule of three important.

We often say “so-and-so” is an important rule in writing, but sometimes it’s an exaggeration. So believe me when I say the rule of three is an important rule in writing. I’d even go as far as to say it’s the most important rule in writing.

Because it affects everything from sentence structure to plot . And more importantly, it’s become an intrinsic communication pattern for people around the world.

We’re going to explore each of those, but first let’s define rule of three.

THE RULE OF THREE DEFINITION LITERATURE

What is the rule of three.

The rule of three is a storytelling principle that suggests people better understand concepts, situations, and ideas in groups of three. Over time, the rule has been confirmed by anthropological experts as an archetypal principle that works on three levels: sentences, situations, and stories.

Subtypes of the Rule of Three

Hendiatris: When three words express the same idea (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness)
Tricolon: When three parallel elements have a similar number of words or syllables (veni, vedi, vici); (I came, I saw, I conquered)

So we know this rule is an important writing principle, but how exactly is it used in three levels: sentences, situations, and stories?

MAGIC THREE WRITING

The rule works in sentences .

The rule is perhaps most commonly applied in sentences. And although you may think that makes it contrived, it’s actually almost always satisfying.

Take this sentence from our article on The Scorpion and the Frog for example: “the Scorpion and the Frog is a tale that can be used to demonstrate, subvert, and communicate character archetypes.”

In this case, the sentence uses the rule to emphasize three action verbs: demonstrate , subvert , and communicate . The rule doesn’t have to use action verbs though – it can also use nouns.

Take this example from our article on the best John Carpenter movies : His stories explore the dark side of the unknown, the hubris of man’s institutions, and the middle ground where science and the spiritual world meet.

Let’s highlight those nouns in bold: the dark side of the unknown, the hubris of man’s institutions, and the middle ground where science and the spiritual world meet . It has a nice flow to it, doesn’t it?

You may also notice the rule in marketing . Here are some rule of three examples in slogans and film titles.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
Stop, Look and Listen
Sex, Lies and Videotape
Snap! Crackle! Pop!

All in all, this rule is an essential part of writing patterned titles and sentences. As you’re writing, remember to incorporate the rule to generate better flow.

RULE OF THREE EXAMPLES IN WRITING

The rule adds complexity to situations.

How many times have you been watching a movie or TV show and a character outlines the antagonist's plan in a group of three?

“He’s going to attack the princess’s transport ship , take her prisoner , then destroy her home planet .”

We don’t just see this in Star Wars , we see this in just about every story known to man. When using the power of threes to describe situations, always save the most important point for last.

Think about it: you don’t want to lead with the most important point, because then the two subsequent points would seem innocuous.

Sometimes, the most important point may actually seem like the most forgettable. In the Star Wars screenplay , Obi-Wan Kenobi describes Anakin Skywalker as “ the best star pilot in the galaxy , a cunning warrior , and a good friend .”

“Best star pilot in the galaxy” may seem like the most important point, but it’s actually “friendship” that takes the cake. Through this use of threes, Lucas inserts a resonant emotional beat .

WHAT DOES RULE OF THREE MEAN?

The rule details plot structure.

The rule also serves as the backbone for the ancient three-act structure . The three-act structure argues that every story works best in groups of three, with a beginning, middle, and end.

For more on the three-act structure, check out the video below.

The Rule of Three Meaning • The Three-Act Structure

The power of threes also works on a macro-level with character relationships. Here are some popular examples:

The Three Musketeers
The Three Pigs
The Three Stooges
The Three Wise Men
Harry, Ron, and Hermione ( Harry Potter )
Luke, Leia, and Han-Solo ( Star Wars )
Bella, Edward, and Jacob ( Twilight )
The Ghost of Christmas Past, The Ghost of Christmas Present, and The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come ( A Christmas Carol )

Some of the most famous character relationships of all-time are rooted in threes. There are three ways to write trios of characters: the first is to put all three on the same page (Three Wise Men).

The second is to have conflict materialize within the group (Harry, Ron, and Hermione). The third is to have a love triangle (Bella, Edward, and Jacob). The second and third ways are only differentiated by whether or not they have romantic elements.

The examples we outlined in this article are just some of the ways you can use the rule. Next time you read an article or watch a movie, pay attention to how the writer(s) used this rule — you’ll likely learn something new about storytelling patterns.

What is the Rule of Thirds?

The rule of thirds applies this idea of triplets in a visual sense. In our next article, we break down how to use the rule of thirds by analyzing examples in Thor, The Shining, and more. By the end, you’ll know how to apply the rule of thirds to create a distinctly patterned visual image.

Up Next: Rule of Thirds Explained →

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Rule of Three in Speech Writing

According to a Business Insider article written by Ira Kalb of USC’s School of Business:

“Our brains evolved in a way to protect us from harm. As part of our protection system, we like to have choices. We know that if we don’t have choice in a dangerous situation, we may not find a way out of it. On the other hand, our brains also know that if we have too many choices, we often get confused.”

It is well established that us humans can only hold a small amount of information in short term, or ‘active,’ memory. In fact, modern day scientists have put the number of items we can easily recall in short-term memory close to just three or four “chunks”.

Despite the research, in the world of presentations it is still all too common to observe an audience being attacked by a bout of information overload. So, if your listener will only remember small amounts of information from your presentation, why overwhelm them with twenty messages?

The Rule of Three is a powerful technique that you can easily learn, practise, and apply to every area of public speaking. Simply put, the Rule of Three is a very general principle that states that ideas presented in threes are inherently more interesting, more enjoyable, and more memorable for your audience. Information presented in a group of three sticks in our head better than other groups.

In ancient times, the Roman’s understood the Rule of Three and referred to it with the Latin maxim “ omne trium perfectum ” which means “everything that comes in threes is perfect”. Nowadays we have sayings such as “third time lucky” and “third time’s a charm”, which reflect the same idea. In fact you will see the Rule of Three applied in every single area of your life. For example: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the Three Wise Men, the Good, the Bad and the Ugly, the Three Little Pigs and Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

Let’s examine some opportunities to use the Rule of Three in our speeches and presentations.

1) To Divide Up a Speech

It is no coincidence that the best speeches have a beginning, middle and end. The outline of an effective speech has three sections: an introduction, body and conclusion. The repetition is powerful because it can make a message more persuasive, more memorable, and more entertaining.

Dale Carnegie once said,

Tell them what you going to tell them, tell them, then tell them what you just told them

Furthermore, the body of your speech can be broken down into three smaller sections i.e. three ideas you’d like to present. Fewer than three may not give you quite the right amount of punch in your speech, while more than three messages risks putting your audience to sleep. Applying the Rule of Three you can get it just right.

2) To Emphasise Phrases, Sentences & Words

Using the Rule of Three to repeat phrases, sentences and words helps you to emphasise key messages in your speech. Why is this? The most plausible explanation is that since people are generally good at pattern recognition.

Since three is the smallest number of points required to create a pattern, information presented in threes forms a pattern which can be more easily remembered. As a result, information presented in a group of three is more memorable than that presented in groups of say, two or five.

Examples of the Rule of Three

Some very famous speeches have applied the Rule of Three, and to great effect.

Barack Obama’s Inaugural Speech

Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered.

Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address

We can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground Government of the people, by the people, for the people.

Steve Job’s Stanford Commencement Speech

It means to try to tell your kids everything you thought you’d have the next 10 years to tell them in just a few months. It means to make sure everything is buttoned up so that it will be as easy as possible for your family. It means to say your goodbyes.

Steve Jobs also applied the Rule of Three in almost every product launch he made during his time at Apple. In 2007 he introduced the first iPhone as the “third” of Apple’s revolutionary product categories. In 2010 Jobs introduced iPad with a slide showing the tablet as a “third device” between a smartphone and a laptop. The iPad, he told the audience, would come in “three models”: 16, 32, and 64 GB. In 2011 he introduced the iPad 2 as “thinner, lighter, and faster” than the original.

Three is a Magic Number

The Rule of Three allows you to express concepts more completely and increases the memorability of your speech. Try to apply it in your next speech. Divide a presentation into three parts. Introduce a product with three benefits. The Rule of Three — it worked for Obama, it worked for Lincoln, it worked for Jobs, and it will work for you.

More From Forbes

4 things about the 4% rule most don’t understand.

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One of the most important and difficult questions to answer in retirement is how much you can spend each year without going broke. The most popular answer to this question is what is known as the 4% rule. From a 1994 paper written by Certified Financial Planner Bill Bengan, here's how it works.

Cottage life - Sunrise on two empty Adirondack chairs sitting on a dock on a lake in Muskoka, ... [+] Ontario Canada. The sun rays create long shadows on the wooden pier.

In the first year of retirement, you can spend 4% of your savings. This 4% is known as the Safe Withdrawal Rate. Each year thereafter you can adjust your spending by the rate of inflation. According to Mr. Bengen's research, if you follow this strategy, your money should last at least 30 years in retirement.

The 4% rule is simple, easy to follow, and totally misunderstood. Here are four things about the 4% rule that almost nobody understands.

1. It’s Just One of a Thousand Possible Answers

The conclusion that Mr. Bengan reached in his 1994 paper rests on a number of critical assumptions. For example, he assumed a 30-year retirement, a portfolio that consisted of the equivalent of an S&P 500 Index fund and intermediate term treasury bonds, and that spending would go up each year by the rate of inflation as measured by the CPI.

In truth, he made many other assumptions, some of them not explicitly stated, such as the following:

That a retiree retired on January 1;
That the retiree paid no investment fees;
That the retiree rebalanced their portfolio once each year; and
That the strategy must succeed 100% of the time based on historical data;

Best High-Yield Savings Accounts Of 2024

Best 5% interest savings accounts of 2024.

If we change any of these assumptions, the 4% rule turns into something else. in some cases it's just a minor adjustment, perhaps becoming the 4.1 or 3.9% rule. Even changing when one retires during a given year can change the results, as Mr. Bengen himself noted in a subsequent paper .

The point is that the 4% Rule is just one result from what could be thousands of different results based on changes to these assumptions. In fact, today Mr. Bengen believes that the Safe Withdrawal Rate is actually 4.7% based on using different asset classes for stocks.

2. It Assumes a 100% Success Rate

As noted above, Mr. Bengen’s paper demanded a 100% success rate. He looked at 51 different 30-year retirements and concluded that using 4% as the initial safe withdrawal rate succeeded in all of these periods dating back to 1926.

A 100% success rate seems like a safe approach. After all, retirees’ biggest fear is running out of money during retirement. Yet when it comes to modeling withdrawal strategies using Monte Carlo simulations, nobody demands of 100% success rate. The thing to recognize is that demanding a 100% success rate comes at significant costs.

In the case of the 4% rule, the vast majority of the time dating back to 1871, a retiree could have started with a much higher initial spending rate. In fact, using just 4%, many retirees after 30 years have as much as six times the amount of money they started with. That's a lot of money to leave on the table during your golden years.

Using one of my favorite retirement tools, FICalc , and assuming a 75% stock and 25% bond portfolio, one could start with a 4.9% initial withdrawal rate and have an 80% chance of success over a 30-year period. Of course, during that time if things started to look bleak, one could cut back their spending.

3. You Don’t Need a Safe Withdrawal Rate At All

Another misconception is that a retiree needs to figure out an initial safe withdrawal rate. Countless papers have been written critiquing the 4% rule. Some say it's too high, particularly if you factor in current valuations and yields. Others say it could be higher if you implement what are called guardrails. With guardrails, a retiree can increase or decrease their spending based on how market returns and inflation turn out.

But what many don't understand is that there are spending strategies in retirement that don't require an initial safe withdrawal rate at all. For example, the Spend Safely in Retirement Strategy is based on delaying Social Security and using the required minimum distribution formula for calculating your yearly spending. Unlike the 4% Rule, this approach is based on your age and balance of your investments. In this regard, it's a much easier method to follow at least psychologically. One wonders how many retirees cut back their spending in 2022 when inflation spiked and the market fell.

4. Nobody Actually Uses The 4% Rule In Retirement

Finally, almost nobody actually uses the 4% Rule in retirement. True, this observation is based on anecdotal evidence. I've run a YouTube channel about investing and retirement for the past several years. During that time I received tens of thousands of comments and emails from viewers. I've yet to meet someone who is using the 4% rule in retirement.

There are at least two reasons for this in my view. First, retirees don't spend the same of money after inflation each year in retirement. In fact, studies show that retirees tend to spend less as they age, even accounting for medical costs. Second, it is very difficult to follow the 4% Rule during a bear market. The reality is that most retirees cut back when the market falls.

In fairness, I have met one person who tells me that he follow sthe 4% rule. Mr. Bengan himself. I interviewed him on my YouTube channel, which you can check out here .

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Lawsuit by Elon Musk's X was an attempt to punish free speech, judge rules

A US judge threw out a suit X filed, saying it was about "punishing the defendants for their speech."
It had sought millions in damages from a research group that found a rise in hate speech on X.
X CEO Elon Musk has said a similar "thermonuclear" lawsuit is about " protecting free speech ."

A lawsuit that Elon Musk's X filed last year against a research group was thrown out Monday, with US District Judge Charles Breyer saying, "This case is about punishing the Defendants for their speech."

In its complaint, filed in the Northern District of California, X argued that the nonprofit Center for Countering Digital Hate violated the platform's terms of service in gathering data for reports that documented a significant increase in hate speech on X following Musk's takeover.

The company claimed the CCDH was responsible for "tens of millions of dollars" in damages due to lost advertising revenue and the expense of internal investigations.

But Breyer wrote "there can be no mistaking" that the real motive of the suit was to bully X's critics into silence.

The decision cited a survey that found "social media researchers have canceled, suspended or changed more than 100 studies about X" as a result of Musk's policies as CEO.

Watch: OPINION: Media activist shares how Musk could change Twitter

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Myanmar’s military makes its annual parade of strength despite unprecedented battlefield losses

Thousands of Myanmar military personnel held their annual parade in the capital Naypyitaw on Wednesday, Mar. 27 against a background of unprecedented battlefield defeats. The military seized power in Myanmar in February 2021, overthrowing the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, head of the military council, stands on a military truck as he inspects officers during a parade to commemorate Myanmar’s 79th Armed Forces Day, in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw)

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Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, head of the military council, salutes on stage during a parade to commemorate Myanmar’s 79th Armed Forces Day, in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw)

Military officers shout slogans during a parade to commemorate Myanmar’s 79th Armed Forces Day, in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw)

Myanmar military officers march during a parade to commemorate Myanmar’s 79th Armed Forces Day, in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo)

A military officer marches during a parade to commemorate Myanmar’s 79th Armed Forces Day, in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo)

A military band parades march during a parade to commemorate Myanmar’s 79th Armed Forces Day, in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo)

Military soldiers salute during a parade to commemorate Myanmar’s 79th Armed Forces Day, in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo)

Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, head of the military council, inspects officers during a parade to commemorate Myanmar’s 79th Armed Forces Day, in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo)

BANGKOK (AP) — The head of Myanmar’s ruling military council marked Armed Forces Day on Wednesday with a speech claiming that the nation’s youth were being tricked into supporting the resistance against army rule, and that ethnic armed groups allied with the resistance engage in drug trafficking, natural resources smuggling and illegal gambling.

Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing spoke in the capital, Naypyitaw, where thousands of military personnel paraded in an annual show of strength, even as the army has suffered a series of unprecedented battlefield defeats that have tarnished their once invincible reputation.

Min Aung Hlaing touched on familiar themes, urging the international community not to support the resistance forces, whom he blamed for disturbing the process for planned but not yet scheduled elections. Earlier this month, he told Russia’s ITAR-TASS news agency that elections might be held in parts of the country that are peaceful and stable.

Many Western nations have applied sanctions against Myanmar’s ruling generals because of their 2021 seizure of power and brutal suppression of opposition. Military offensives since then have displaced more than 2 million people, according to the United Nations.

Pediatrician Tanya Haj-Hassan, examines wounded Gazan children at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza. Saturday, March 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Min Aung Hlaing said it is “disheartening to witness youths becoming scapegoats of insurgents, misled by false narrative propaganda through media sabotage.” He also accused unnamed ethnic armed groups of “destroying the path towards forming a union based on democratic values and federalism.”

The army in 2021 overthrew the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, whom it accused of winning the 2020 election through massive voter fraud, presenting what it said was evidence disputed by independent poll watching groups.

The military’s suppression of protests against its takeover triggered nationwide armed resistance. Thousands of young people fled to jungles and mountains in remote border areas and made common cause with ethnic guerrilla forces battle-hardened by decades of combat with the army in pursuit of autonomy.

Over the past five months, Min Aung Hlaing’s army has been routed in northern Shan state, is conceding swathes of territory in Rakhine state in the west and is under growing attack in other regions.

As losses have risen and morale has plummeted, authorities activated a conscription law in a bid to strengthen their position.

Both the military and some of the ethnic minority groups with strongholds in border regions have been accused of having links to illegal activities such as drug production and offering protection to casino complexes that have served as centers for carrying out illegal scams online.

The parade marking this year’s 79th Armed Forces Day was held in the sunset hours for the first time since Naypyitaw became the capital in 2006. Previously, it was held at sunrise. Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, spokesperson for the ruling military council, explained that the change was due to the unusually hot weather caused by the El Nino phenomenon.

Armed Forces Day marks the day in 1945 when the army of Myanmar, then known as Burma, began its fight against occupying Japanese forces who had taken over after driving out the British.

Statements by the British and Canadian embassies marking Armed Forces Day, noted that civilians across the country are being targeted in attacks by the military that include airstrikes on homes, schools, health care facilities and places of worship.

Canada in its statement urged all countries to “immediately stop the sale or transfer of arms, military equipment, dual-use equipment, aviation fuel and technical military assistance to Myanmar.”

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Ronna McDaniel, TV News and the Trump Problem

The former republican national committee chairwoman was hired by nbc and then let go after an outcry..

This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this transcript and email [email protected] with any questions.

From “The New York Times,” I’m Michael Barbaro. This is “The Daily.”

[MUSIC PLAYING]

Today, the saga of Ronna McDaniel and NBC and what it reveals about the state of television news headed into the 2024 presidential race. Jim Rutenberg, a “Times” writer at large, is our guest.

It’s Monday, April 1.

Jim, NBC News just went through a very public, a very searing drama over the past week, that we wanted you to make sense of in your unique capacity as a longtime media and political reporter at “The Times.” This is your sweet spot. You were, I believe, born to dissect this story for us.

Oh, brother.

Well, on the one hand, this is a very small moment for a major network like NBC. They hire, as a contributor, not an anchor, not a correspondent, as a contributor, Ronna McDaniel, the former RNC chairwoman. It blows up in a mini scandal at the network.

But to me, it represents a much larger issue that’s been there since that moment Donald J. Trump took his shiny gold escalator down to announce his presidential run in 2015. This struggle by the news media to figure out, especially on television, how do we capture him, cover him for all of his lies, all the challenges he poses to Democratic norms, yet not alienate some 74, 75 million American voters who still follow him, still believe in him, and still want to hear his reality reflected in the news that they’re listening to?

Right. Which is about as gnarly a conundrum as anyone has ever dealt with in the news media.

Well, it’s proven so far unsolvable.

Well, let’s use the story of what actually happened with Ronna McDaniel and NBC to illustrate your point. And I think that means describing precisely what happened in this situation.

The story starts out so simply. It’s such a basic thing that television networks do. As elections get underway, they want people who will reflect the two parties.

They want talking heads. They want insiders. They want them on their payroll so they can rely on them whenever they need them. And they want them to be high level so they can speak with great knowledge about the two major candidates.

Right. And rather than needing to beg these people to come on their show at 6 o’clock, when they might be busy and it’s not their full-time job, they go off and they basically put them on retainer for a bunch of money.

Yeah. And in this case, here’s this perfect scenario because quite recently, Ronna McDaniel, the chairwoman of the Republican National Committee through the Trump era, most of it, is now out on the market. She’s actually recently been forced out of the party. And all the networks are interested because here’s the consummate insider from Trump world ready to get snatched up under contract for the next election and can really represent this movement that they’ve been trying to capture.

So NBC’S key news executives move pretty aggressively, pretty swiftly, and they sign her up for a $300,000 a year contributor’s contract.

Nice money if you can get it.

Not at millions of dollars that they pay their anchors, but a very nice contract. I’ll take it. You’ll take it. In the eyes of NBC execs she was perfect because she can be on “Meet the Press” as a panelist. She can help as they figure out some of their coverage. They have 24 hours a day to fill and here’s an official from the RNC. You can almost imagine the question that would be asked to her. It’s 10:00 PM on election night. Ronna, what are the Trump people thinking right now? They’re looking at the same numbers you are.

That was good, but that’s exactly it. And we all know it, right? This is television in our current era.

So last Friday, NBC makes what should be a routine announcement, but one they’re very proud of, that they’ve hired Ronna McDaniel. And in a statement, they say it couldn’t be a more important moment to have a voice like Ronna’s on the team. So all’s good, right? Except for there’s a fly in the ointment.

Because it turns out that Ronna McDaniel has been slated to appear on “Meet the Press,” not as a paid NBC contributor, but as a former recently ousted RNC chair with the “Meet The Press” host, Kristen Welker, who’s preparing to have a real tough interview with Ronna McDaniel. Because of course, Ronna McDaniel was chair of the party and at Trump’s side as he tried to refuse his election loss. So this was supposed to be a showdown interview.

From NBC News in Washington, the longest-running show in television history. This is “Meet The Press” with Kristen Welker.

And here, all of a sudden, Kristin Welker is thrown for a loop.

In full disclosure to our viewers, this interview was scheduled weeks before it was announced that McDaniel would become a paid NBC News contributor.

Because now, she’s actually interviewing a member of the family who’s on the same payroll.

Right. Suddenly, she’s interviewing a colleague.

This will be a news interview, and I was not involved in her hiring.

So what happens during the interview?

So Welker is prepared for a tough interview, and that’s exactly what she does.

Can you say, as you sit here today, did Joe Biden win the election fair and square?

He won. He’s the legitimate president.

Did he win fair and square?

Fair and square, he won. It’s certified. It’s done.

She presses her on the key question that a lot of Republicans get asked these days — do you accept Joe Biden was the winner of the election?

But, I do think, Kristen —

Ronna, why has it taken you until now to say that? Why has it taken you until now to be able to say that?

I’m going to push back a little.

McDaniel gets defensive at times.

Because I do think it’s fair to say there were problems in 2020. And to say that does not mean he’s not the legitimate president.

But, Ronna, when you say that, it suggests that there was something wrong with the election. And you know that the election was the most heavily scrutinized. Chris Krebs —

It’s a really combative interview.

I want to turn now to your actions in the aftermath of the 2020 election.

And Welker actually really does go deeply into McDaniel’s record in those weeks before January 6.

On November 17, you and Donald Trump were recorded pushing two Republican Michigan election officials not to certify the results of the election. And on the call —

For instance, she presses McDaniel on McDaniel’s role in an attempt to convince a couple county commissioner level canvassers in Michigan to not certify Biden’s victory.

Our call that night was to say, are you OK? Vote your conscience. Not pushing them to do anything.

McDaniel says, look, I was just telling them to vote their conscience. They should do whatever they think is right.

But you said, do not sign it. If you can go home tonight, do not sign it. How can people read that as anything other than a pressure campaign?

And Welker’s not going to just let her off the hook. Welker presses her on Trump’s own comments about January 6 and Trump’s efforts recently to gloss over some of the violence, and to say that those who have been arrested, he’ll free them.

Do you support that?

I want to be very clear. The violence that happened on January 6 is unacceptable.

And this is a frankly fascinating moment because you can hear McDaniel starting to, if not quite reverse some of her positions, though in some cases she does that, at least really soften her language. It’s almost as if she’s switching uniforms from the RNC one to an NBC one or almost like breaking from a role she was playing.

Ronna, why not speak out earlier? Why just speak out about that now?

When you’re the RNC chair, you kind of take one for the whole team, right? Now, I get to be a little bit more myself.

She says, hey, you know what? Sometimes as RNC chair, you just have to take it for the team sometimes.

Right. What she’s really saying is I did things as chairwoman of the Republican National committee that now that I no longer have that job, I can candidly say, I wished I hadn’t done, which is very honest. But it’s also another way of saying I’m two faced, or I was playing a part.

Ronna McDaniel, thank you very much for being here this morning.

Then something extraordinary happens. And I have to say, I’ve never seen a moment like this in decades of watching television news and covering television news.

Welcome back. The panel is here. Chuck Todd, NBC News chief political analyst.

Welker brings her regular panel on, including Chuck Todd, now the senior NBC political analyst.

Chuck, let’s dive right in. What were your takeaways?

And he launches right into what he calls —

Look, let me deal with the elephant in the room.

The elephant being this hiring of McDaniel.

I think our bosses owe you an apology for putting you in this situation.

And he proceeds, on NBC’S air, to lace into management for, as he describes it, putting Welker in this crazy awkward position.

Because I don’t know what to believe. She is now a paid contributor by NBC News. I have no idea whether any answer she gave to you was because she didn’t want to mess up her contract.

And Todd is very hung up on this idea that when she was speaking for the party, she would say one thing. And now that she’s on the payroll at NBC, she’s saying another thing.

She has credibility issues that she still has to deal with. Is she speaking for herself, or is she speaking on behalf of who’s paying her?

Todd is basically saying, how are we supposed to know which one to believe.

What can we believe?

It is important for this network and for always to have a wide aperture. Having ideological diversity on this panel is something I prided myself on.

And what he’s effectively saying is that his bosses should have never hired her in this capacity.

I understand the motivation, but this execution, I think, was poor.

Someone said to me last night we live in complicated times. Thank you guys for being here. I really appreciate it.

Now, let’s just note here, this isn’t just any player at NBC. Chuck Todd is obviously a major news name at the network. And him doing this appears to just open the floodgates across the entire NBC News brand, especially on its sister cable network, MSNBC.

And where I said I’d never seen anything like what I saw on “Meet the Press” that morning, I’d never seen anything like this either. Because now, the entire MSNBC lineup is in open rebellion. I mean, from the minute that the sun comes up. There is Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski.

We weren’t asked our opinion of the hiring. But if we were, we would have strongly objected to it.

They’re on fire over this.

believe NBC News should seek out conservative Republican voices, but it should be conservative Republicans, not a person who used her position of power to be an anti-democracy election denier.

But it rolls out across the entire schedule.

Because Ronna McDaniel has been a major peddler of the big lie.

The fact that Ms. McDaniel is on the payroll at NBC News, to me that is inexplicable. I mean, you wouldn’t hire a mobster to work at a DA’s office.

Rachel Maddow devotes an entire half hour.

It’s not about just being associated with Donald Trump and his time in the Republican Party. It’s not even about lying or not lying. It’s about our system of government.

Thumbing their noses at our bosses and basically accusing them of abetting a traitorous figure in American history. I mean, just extraordinary stuff. It’s television history.

And let’s face it, we journalists, our bosses, we can be seen as crybabies, and we’re paid complaining. Yeah, that’s what we’re paid to do. But in this case, the NBC executives cannot ignore this, because in the outcry, there’s a very clear point that they’re all making. Ronna McDaniel is not just a voice from the other side. She was a fundamental part of Trump’s efforts to deny his election loss.

This is not inviting the other side. This is someone who’s on the wrong side —

Of history.

Of history, of these moments that we’ve covered and are still covering.

And I think it’s fair to say that at this point, everyone understands that Ronna McDaniel’s time at NBC News is going to be very short lived. Yeah, basically, after all this, the executives at NBC have to face facts it’s over. And on Tuesday night, they release a statement to the staff saying as much.

They don’t cite the questions about red lines or what Ronna McDaniel represented or didn’t represent. They just say we need to have a unified newsroom. We want cohesion. This isn’t working.

I think in the end, she was a paid contributor for four days.

Yeah, one of the shortest tenures in television news history. And look, in one respect, by their standards, this is kind of a pretty small contract, a few hundred thousand dollars they may have to pay out. But it was way more costly because they hired her. They brought her on board because they wanted to appeal to these tens of millions of Americans who still love Donald J. Trump.

And what happens now is that this entire thing is blown up in their face, and those very same people now see a network that, in their view, in the view of Republicans across the country, this network will not accept any Republicans. So it becomes more about that. And Fox News, NBC’S longtime rival, goes wall to wall with this.

Now, NBC News just caved to the breathless demands from their far left, frankly, emotionally unhinged host.

I mean, I had it on my desk all day. And every minute I looked at that screen, it was pounding on these liberals at NBC News driving this Republican out.

It’s the shortest tenure in TV history, I think. But why? Well, because she supports Donald Trump, period.

So in a way, this leaves NBC worse off with that Trump Republican audience they had wanted to court than maybe even they were before. It’s like a boomerang with a grenade on it.

Yeah, it completely explodes in their face. And that’s why to me, the whole episode is so representative of this eight-year conundrum for the news media, especially on television. They still haven’t been able to crack the code for how to handle the Trump movement, the Trump candidacy, and what it has wrought on the American political system and American journalism.

We’ll be right back.

Jim, put into context this painful episode of NBC into that larger conundrum you just diagnosed that the media has faced when it comes to Trump.

Well, Michael, it’s been there from the very beginning, from the very beginning of his political rise. The media was on this kind of seesaw. They go back and forth over how to cover him. Sometimes they want to cover him quite aggressively because he’s such a challenging candidate. He was bursting so many norms.

But at other times, there was this instinct to understand his appeal, for the same reason. He’s such an unusual candidate. So there was a great desire to really understand his voters. And frankly, to speak to his voters, because they’re part of the audience. And we all lived it, right?

But just let me take you back anyway because everything’s fresh again with perspective. And so if you go back, let’s look at when he first ran. The networks, if you recall, saw him as almost like a novelty candidate.

He was going to spice up what was expected to be a boring campaign between the usual suspects. And he was a ratings magnet. And the networks, they just couldn’t get enough of it. And they allowed him, at times, to really shatter their own norms.

Welcome back to “Meet the Press,” sir.

Good morning, Chuck.

Good morning. Let me start —

He was able to just call into the studio and riff with the likes of George Stephanopoulos and Chuck Todd.

What does it have to do with Hillary?

She can’t talk about me because nobody respects women more than Donald Trump.

And CNN gave him a lot of unmitigated airtime, if you recall during the campaign. They would run the press conferences.

It’s the largest winery on the East Coast. I own it 100 percent.

And let him promote his Trump steaks and his Trump wine.

Trump steaks. Where are the steaks? Do we have steaks?

I mean, it got that crazy. But again, the ratings were huge. And then he wins. And because they had previously given him all that airtime, they’ve, in retrospect, sort of given him a political gift, and more than that now have a journalistic imperative to really address him in a different way, to cover him as they would have covered any other candidate, which, let’s face it, they weren’t doing initially. So there’s this extra motivation to make up for lost ground and maybe for some journalistic omissions.

Right. Kind of correct for the lack of a rigorous journalistic filter in the campaign.

Exactly. And the big thing that this will be remembered for is we’re going to call a lie a lie.

I don’t want to sugarcoat this because facts matter, and the fact is President Trump lies.

Trump lies. We’re going to say it’s a lie.

And I think we can’t just mince around it because they are lies. And so we need to call them what they are.

We’re no longer going to use euphemisms or looser language we’re. Going to call it for what it is.

Trump lies in tweets. He spreads false information at rallies. He lies when he doesn’t need to. He lies when the truth is more than enough for him.

CNN was running chyrons. They would fact check Trump and call lies lies on the screen while Trump is talking. They were challenging Trump to his face —

One of the statements that you made in the tail end of the campaign in the midterms that —

Here we go.

That — well, if you don’t mind, Mr. President, that this caravan was an invasion.

— in these crazy press conferences —

They’re are hundreds of miles away, though. They’re hundreds and hundreds of miles away. That’s not an invasion.

Honestly, I think you should let me run the country. You run CNN. And if you did it well, your ratings —

Well, let me ask — if I may ask one other question. Mr. President, if I may ask another question. Are you worried —

That’s enough. That’s enough.

And Trump is giving it right back.

I tell you what, CNN should be ashamed of itself having you working for them. You are a rude, terrible person. You shouldn’t be working for CNN.

Very combative.

So this was this incredibly fraught moment for the American press. You’ve got tens of millions of Trump supporters seeing what’s really basic fact checking. These look like attacks to Trump supporters. Trump, in turn, is calling the press, the reporters are enemies of the people. So it’s a terrible dynamic.

And when January 6 happens, it’s so obviously out of control. And what the traditional press that follows, traditional journalistic rules has to do is make it clear that the claims that Trump is making about a stolen election are just so abjectly false that they don’t warrant a single minute of real consideration once the reporting has been done to show how false they are. And I think that American journalism really emerged from that feeling strongly about its own values and its own place in society.

But then there’s still tens of millions of Trump voters, and they don’t feel so good about the coverage. And they don’t agree that January 6 was an insurrection. And so we enter yet another period, where the press is going to have to now maybe rethink some things.

In what way?

Well, there’s a kind of quiet period after January 6. Trump is off of social media. The smoke is literally dissipating from the air in Washington. And news executives are kind of standing there on the proverbial battlefield, taking a new look at their situation.

And they’re seeing that in this clearer light, they’ve got some new problems, perhaps none more important for their entire business models than that their ratings are quickly crashing. And part of that diminishment is that a huge part of the country, that Trump-loving part of the audience, is really now severed from him from their coverage.

They see the press as actually, in some cases, being complicit in stealing an election. And so these news executives, again, especially on television, which is so ratings dependent, they’ve got a problem. So after presumably learning all these lessons about journalism and how to confront power, there’s a first subtle and then much less subtle rethinking.

Maybe we need to pull back from that approach. And maybe we need to take some new lessons and switch it up a little bit and reverse some of what we did. And one of the best examples of this is none other than CNN.

It had come under new management, was being led by a guy named Chris Licht, a veteran of cable news, but also Stephen Colbert’s late night show in his last job. And his new job under this new management is we’re going to recalibrate a little bit. So Chris Licht proceeds to try to bring the network back to the center.

And how does he do that?

Well, we see some key personalities who represented the Trump combat era start losing air time and some of them lose their jobs. There’s talk of, we want more Republicans on the air. There was a famous magazine article about Chris Licht’s balancing act here.

And Chris Licht says to a reporter, Tim Alberta of the “Atlantic” magazine, look, a lot in the media, including at his own network, quote unquote, “put on a jersey, took a side.” They took a side. And he says, I think we understand that jersey cannot go back on him. Because he says in the end of the day, by the way, it didn’t even work. We didn’t change anyone’s mind.

He’s saying that confrontational approach that defined the four years Trump was in office, that was a reaction to the feeling that TV news had failed to properly treat Trump with sufficient skepticism, that that actually was a failure both of journalism and of the TV news business. Is that what he’s saying?

Yeah. On the business side, it’s easier call, right? You want a bigger audience, and you’re not getting the bigger audience. But he’s making a journalistic argument as well that if the job is to convey the truth and take it to the people, and they take that into account as they make their own voting decisions and formulate their own opinions about American politics, if tens of millions of people who do believe that election was stolen are completely tuning you out because now they see you as a political combatant, you’re not achieving your ultimate goal as a journalist.

And what does Licht’s “don’t put a jersey back on” approach look like on CNN for its viewers?

Well, It didn’t look good. People might remember this, but the most glaring example —

Please welcome, the front runner for the Republican nomination for president, Donald Trump.

— was when he held a town hall meeting featuring Donald J. Trump, now candidate Trump, before an audience packed with Trump’s fans.

You look at what happened during that election. Unless you’re a very stupid person, you see what happens. A lot of the people —

Trump let loose a string of falsehoods.

Most people understand what happened. It was a rigged election.

The audience is pro-Trump audience, was cheering him on.

Are you ready? Are you ready? Can I talk?

Yeah, what’s your answer?

Can I? Do you mind?

I would like for you to answer the question.

OK. It’s very simple to answer.

That’s why I asked it.

It’s very simple. You’re a nasty person, I’ll tell you that.

And during, the CNN anchor hosting this, Kaitlan Collins, on CNN’s own air, it was a disaster.

It felt like a callback to the unlearned lessons of 2016.

Yeah. And in this case, CNN’s staff was up in arms.

Big shakeup in the cable news industry as CNN makes another change at the top.

Chris Licht is officially out at CNN after a chaotic run as chairman and CEO.

And Chris Licht didn’t survive it.

The chief executive’s departure comes as he faced criticism in recent weeks after the network hosted a town hall with Donald Trump and the network’s ratings started to drop.

But I want to say that the CNN leadership still, even after that, as they brought new leadership in, said, this is still the path we’re going to go on. Maybe that didn’t work out, but we’re still here. This is still what we have to do.

Right. And this idea is very much in the water of TV news, that this is the right overall direction.

Yeah. This is, by no means, isolated to CNN. This is throughout the traditional news business. These conversations are happening everywhere. But CNN was living it at that point.

And this, of course, is how we get to NBC deciding to hire Ronna McDaniel.

Right. Because they’re picking up — right where that conversation leaves off, they’re having the same conversation. But for NBC, you could argue this tension between journalistic values and audience. It’s even more pressing. Because even though MSNBC is a niche cable network, NBC News is part of an old-fashioned broadcast network. It’s on television stations throughout the country.

And in fact, those networks, they still have 6:30 newscasts. And believe it or not, millions of people still watch those every night. Maybe not as many as they used to, but there’s still some six or seven million people tuning in to nightly news. That’s important.

Right. We should say that kind of number is sometimes double or triple that of the cable news prime time shows that get all the attention.

On their best nights. So this is big business still. And that business is based on broad — it’s called broadcast for a reason. That’s based on broad audiences. So NBC had a business imperative, and they argue they had a journalistic imperative.

So given all of that, Jim, I think the big messy question here is, when it comes to NBC, did they make a tactical error around hiring the wrong Republican which blew up? Or did they make an even larger error in thinking that the way you handle Trump and his supporters is to work this hard to reach them, when they might not even be reachable?

The best way to answer that question is to tell you what they’re saying right now, NBC management. What the management saying is, yes, this was a tactical error. This was clearly the wrong Republican. We get it.

But they’re saying, we are going to — and they said this in their statement, announcing that they were severing ties with McDaniel. They said, we’re going to redouble our efforts to represent a broad spectrum of the American votership. And that’s what they meant was that we’re going to still try to reach these Trump voters with people who can relate to them and they can relate to.

But the question is, how do you even do that when so many of his supporters believe a lie? How is NBC, how is CNN, how are any of these TV networks, if they have decided that this is their mission, how are they supposed to speak to people who believe something fundamentally untrue as a core part of their political identity?

That’s the catch-22. How do you get that Trump movement person who’s also an insider, when the litmus test to be an insider in the Trump movement is to believe in the denialism or at least say you do? So that’s a real journalistic problem. And the thing that we haven’t really touched here is, what are these networks doing day in and day out?

They’re not producing reported pieces, which I think it’s a little easier. You just report the news. You go out into the world. You talk to people, and then you present it to the world as a nuanced portrait of the country. This thing is true. This thing is false. Again, in many cases, pretty straightforward. But their bread and butter is talking heads. It’s live. It’s not edited. It’s not that much reported.

So their whole business model especially, again, on cable, which has 24 hours to fill, is talking heads. And if you want the perspective from the Trump movement, journalistically, especially when it comes to denialism, but when it comes to some other major subjects in American life, you’re walking into a place where they’re going to say things that aren’t true, that don’t pass your journalistic standards, the most basic standards of journalism.

Right. So you’re saying if TV sticks with this model, the kind of low cost, lots of talk approach to news, then they are going to have to solve the riddle of who to bring on, who represents Trump’s America if they want that audience. And now they’ve got this red line that they’ve established, that that person can’t be someone who denies the 2020 election reality. But like you just said, that’s the litmus test for being in Trump’s orbit.

So this doesn’t really look like a conundrum. This looks like a bit of a crisis for TV news because it may end up meaning that they can’t hire that person that they need for this model, which means that perhaps a network like NBC does need to wave goodbye to a big segment of these viewers and these eyeballs who support Trump.

I mean, on the one hand, they are not ready to do that, and they would never concede that that’s something they’re ready to do. The problem is barring some kind of change in their news model, there’s no solution to this.

But why bar changes to their news model, I guess, is the question. Because over the years, it’s gotten more and more expensive to produce news, the news that I’m talking about, like recorded packages and what we refer to as reporting. Just go out and report the news.

Don’t gab about it. Just what’s going on, what’s true, what’s false. That’s actually very expensive in television. And they don’t have the kind of money they used to have. So the talking heads is their way to do programming at a level where they can afford it.

They do some packages. “60 Minutes” still does incredible work. NBC does packages, but the lion’s share of what they do is what we’re talking about. And that’s not going to change because the economics aren’t there.

So then a final option, of course, to borrow something Chris Licht said, is that a network like NBC perhaps doesn’t put a jersey on, but accepts the reality that a lot of the world sees them wearing a jersey.

Yeah. I mean, nobody wants to be seen as wearing a jersey in our business. No one wants to be wearing a jersey on our business. But maybe what they really have to accept is that we’re just sticking to the true facts, and that may look like we’re wearing a jersey, but we’re not. And that may, at times, look like it’s lining up more with the Democrats, but we’re not.

If Trump is lying about a stolen election, that’s not siding against him. That’s siding for the truth, and that’s what we’re doing. Easier said than done. And I don’t think any of these concepts are new.

I think there have been attempts to do that, but it’s the world they’re in. And it’s the only option they really have. We’re going to tell you the truth, even if it means that we’re going to lose a big part of the country.

Well, Jim, thank you very much.

Thank you, Michael.

Here’s what else you need to know today.

[PROTESTERS CHANTING]

Over the weekend, thousands of protesters took to the streets of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem in some of the largest domestic demonstrations against the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since Israel invaded Gaza in the fall.

[NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

Some of the protesters called on Netanyahu to reach a cease fire deal that would free the hostages taken by Hamas on October 7. Others called for early elections that would remove Netanyahu from office.

During a news conference on Sunday, Netanyahu rejected calls for early elections, saying they would paralyze his government at a crucial moment in the war.

Today’s episode was produced by Rob Szypko, Rikki Novetsky, and Alex Stern, with help from Stella Tan.

It was edited by Brendan Klinkenberg with help from Rachel Quester and Paige Cowett. Contains original music by Marion Lozano, Dan Powell, and Rowan Niemisto and was engineered by Chris Wood. Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly.

That’s it for “The Daily.” I’m Michael Barbaro. See you tomorrow.

April 2, 2024 • 29:32 Kids Are Missing School at an Alarming Rate
April 1, 2024 • 36:14 Ronna McDaniel, TV News and the Trump Problem
March 29, 2024 • 48:42 Hamas Took Her, and Still Has Her Husband
March 28, 2024 • 33:40 The Newest Tech Start-Up Billionaire? Donald Trump.
March 27, 2024 • 28:06 Democrats’ Plan to Save the Republican House Speaker
March 26, 2024 • 29:13 The United States vs. the iPhone
March 25, 2024 • 25:59 A Terrorist Attack in Russia
March 24, 2024 • 21:39 The Sunday Read: ‘My Goldendoodle Spent a Week at Some Luxury Dog ‘Hotels.’ I Tagged Along.’
March 22, 2024 • 35:30 Chuck Schumer on His Campaign to Oust Israel’s Leader
March 21, 2024 • 27:18 The Caitlin Clark Phenomenon
March 20, 2024 • 25:58 The Bombshell Case That Will Transform the Housing Market
March 19, 2024 • 27:29 Trump’s Plan to Take Away Biden’s Biggest Advantage

Hosted by Michael Barbaro

Featuring Jim Rutenberg

Produced by Rob Szypko , Rikki Novetsky and Alex Stern

With Stella Tan

Edited by Brendan Klinkenberg , Rachel Quester and Paige Cowett

Original music by Marion Lozano , Dan Powell and Rowan Niemisto

Engineered by Chris Wood

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Ronna McDaniel’s time at NBC was short. The former Republican National Committee chairwoman was hired as an on-air political commentator but released just days later after an on-air revolt by the network’s leading stars.

Jim Rutenberg, a writer at large for The Times, discusses the saga and what it might reveal about the state of television news heading into the 2024 presidential race.

On today’s episode

Jim Rutenberg , a writer at large for The New York Times.

Ronna McDaniel is talking, with a coffee cup sitting on the table in front of her. In the background is footage of Donald Trump speaking behind a lecture.

Background reading

Ms. McDaniel’s appointment had been immediately criticized by reporters at the network and by viewers on social media.

The former Republican Party leader tried to downplay her role in efforts to overturn the 2020 election. A review of the record shows she was involved in some key episodes .

There are a lot of ways to listen to The Daily. Here’s how.

We aim to make transcripts available the next workday after an episode’s publication. You can find them at the top of the page.

The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Dan Farrell, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Special thanks to Sam Dolnick, Paula Szuchman, Lisa Tobin, Larissa Anderson, Julia Simon, Sofia Milan, Mahima Chablani, Elizabeth Davis-Moorer, Jeffrey Miranda, Renan Borelli, Maddy Masiello, Isabella Anderson and Nina Lassam.

Jim Rutenberg is a writer at large for The Times and The New York Times Magazine and writes most often about media and politics. More about Jim Rutenberg

IMAGES

The Rule of Three in Writing Speeches
Three Reasons to Use the Rule of Three in Your Speeches
The Golden Rule of 3- and other speech writing tips
What is the Rule Of 3 in Persuasive Writing? Display Poster
What is The Rule of Three in Writing And How to Use It?
Master the Rule of Three Speech Technique for Maximum Impact

VIDEO

Phonology. Rule Notation: Writing Rules
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The Rule of 3 in writing
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SAT writing rule frequently shows up on the SAT grammar. Save this + review #sattest #sattutor #sat
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How to use the 'Rule of Three' to create engaging speeches
The Rule of Three for Speech Structure. Structure is important in classical modes of communication such as writing, and in speeches as well as in modern, derivative modes of communication such as video conferencing, social media, and digital signage. The structure of your speech can influence how you hold your audience's attention.
The Power of the Rule of Three in Speech Writing
The rule of three can be a powerful tool to use to make your audience roar with laughter doing just that. The reason it works is that the rule of three allows you to build up (but not finish) a pattern. When you say two things which are in relation to each other, the audience has an expectation for the third thing.
Master the Rule of Three Speech Technique for Maximum Impact
The "rule of three" is a useful speech technique for public speaking that requires speakers to group their main points into three distinct parts. This technique helps to make an argument more persuasive and memorable by creating a rhythm and structure to the speech, as well as providing audience members with easily digestible information.
How to Use the Rule of Three in Writing
1. Three-part structure. Use a three-part structure to organize your writing. In the beginning, set things up. Then build anticipation, and finish with the punchline, resolution, or plot twist. The easiest way to do this is by having three characters experience the same situation in slightly different ways. 2.
How to Use the Rule of Three in Your Speeches
by Andrew Dlugan. Published: May 27th, 2009. The rule of three is powerful speechwriting technique that you should learn, practice, and master. Using the Rule of Three allows you to express concepts more completely, emphasize your points, and increase the memorability of your message. That's the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
How To Communicate Better With The Rule Of Three
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 ...
How to Use the 'Rule of Three' for Engaging Speeches
Firstly, the 'rule of three' facilitates comprehension by breaking down complex ideas into manageable chunks. Secondly, it creates a rhythm that captures the attention of your listeners and maintains their engagement. Lastly, it enables you to emphasize your key points and leave a lasting impression on your audience.
The Power of The Rule of Three in Communication & Persuasion
Rule of three is the idea that using three components in anything yields a better understanding and easier remembrance, and is more attractive to an audience compared to using less or more than three components. In the context of communication and persuasion, it can be used in various ways, such as dividing it into three by structure, themes ...
3 Ways to Use the Rule of Three in Writing to Satisfy Readers
The Rule of Three: A Definition. The Rule of Three is a writing technique that suggests listing three words, phrases, sentences, images, or ideas in succession to emphasize an idea. It can be applied in almost any type of written work, from essays to speeches and even advertisements.
How to Hook Your Audience: The Rule of Three
And if it works, you keep it in your repertoire. One of the best bits of advice if you're an inexperienced speaker is to listen to as many speeches as possible, and cherry-pick the successful strategies that you think will best suit your own personal style. The rule of three is one of the oldest tricks in the eloquence business.
How to Use the Rule of Three to Improve Your Writing
You might be familiar with the phrase, Good things come in threes: The Three Musketeers, The Three Wise Men, The Three Little Pigs . . . .In fact, for writers, you might even say that three is a magic number. An age-old idea, the rule of three is a go-to literary device used by authors, screenwriters, speech writers, and, especially, comedians who need to pack in a 1-2 punch!
3 Impactful Ways to Use Rule of Three in Speech Writing
All of the structuring in this writing technique precisely depends on your outline. Therefore, you must need to focus on it to make your speeches powerful. 2. Utilizing Tricolon. Tricolon is a famous technique to accommodate the idea of rule of three in your speeches. It is the smartest and most effective way to cater the rule of three practice.
Rule of three (writing)
The rule of three is a writing principle that suggests that a trio of entities such as events or characters is more humorous, satisfying, or effective than other numbers. The audience of this form of text is also thereby more likely to remember the information conveyed because having three entities combines both brevity and rhythm with having ...
Rule of Three: Thinking Visually in Threes
The Rule of Three is a powerful speech writing technique that allows you to express your concepts more completely, eloquently and memorably. First you tell your audience what you're going to tell them. Then you tell them. And finally you tell them what you've told them. Also within the main body of your speech you would highlight three main ...
Speech writing 1
In this video Mr Tobin teaches you how to use Rule or three, triples and anaphora in speech and article writing. Suitable for any class group or age group, t...
How to Improve Your Writing Using the Rule of Three
Here are three general tips you can apply to better communicate and connect with your readers. 1. Use a 3-Part Organization Structure. Look at your work as having a beginning, middle, and an end. This applies to any kind of written work, whether it's online content, a speech, or a story.
The Golden Rule of 3- and other speech writing tips
One of the best forms to use for your speech is the "Golden rule of 3.". Tell your audience you have three thoughts to share with them. Make sure your most important is the last item told. The next most important idea should be your first one. And finally, the least important should be in the middle because it is often forgotten.
The Rule of Three: Unlocking the Power of Persuasive Writing
The Rule of Three is a powerful tool for persuasive writing, with origins in ancient times and applications from marketing campaigns to comedy. Use three-part lists, characters & headlines for balance & rhythm. Mix up sentence structures and lengths to avoid predictability or repetition. Case studies show how successful brands use the Rule of ...
What is The Rule of Three in Writing And How to Use It?
The rule of three is a writing principle based on the idea that the human brain processes information as patterns. Source. Three is the smallest number that humans remember as a set. Hence, anything that is written as three is more satisfying, humorous, and catchy. Using the rule of three in writing takes advantage of the way our brain is wired ...
What is the Rule of Three
Here are some rule of three examples in slogans and film titles. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Stop, Look and Listen. Sex, Lies and Videotape. Snap! Crackle! Pop! All in all, this rule is an essential part of writing patterned titles and sentences.
Rule Your Writing With The Rule of Three
"Rule of three" is a writing principle that has been applied to everything from slogans, speech writing, humor, and — of course — fiction. It is a belief in the aesthetically pleasing and narratively balanced use of three things in fiction, from micro-details to macro-story structures.
Rule of Three in Speech Writing
The outline of an effective speech has three sections: an introduction, body and conclusion. The repetition is powerful because it can make a message more persuasive, more memorable, and more entertaining. Tell them what you going to tell them, tell them, then tell them what you just told them. Furthermore, the body of your speech can be broken ...
Judge to consider if Trump can throw out Georgia election ...
"The core political speech and expressive conduct alleged in this indictment against President Trump are protected from government regulation and thus criminal prosecution by the State," Sadow ...
Live updates: Trump Georgia election interference case hearing
Alito, writing for the three justices, said that the court's ruling "breaks sharply from a long line of cases recognizing that the right to free speech does not protect false factual ...
Federal judge warns of Trump's attacks in extraordinary rebuke
Trump's attorneys responded on Friday, writing, "To 'clarify or confirm' the meaning of the gag order in the way the People suggest would be to expand it."
4 Things About The 4% Rule Most Don't Understand
If we change any of these assumptions, the 4% rule turns into something else. in some cases it's just a minor adjustment, perhaps becoming the 4.1 or 3.9% rule.
US Judge Tosses Out Hate-Speech Lawsuit From Elon Musk's X
Lawsuit by Elon Musk's X was an attempt to punish free speech, judge rules. Dominick Reuter. 2024-03-25T20:15:24Z An curved arrow pointing right. Share. The letter F. Facebook. An envelope. ...
The numbers that show Liverpool could have an edge in title race
With just three points separating the top three, Telegraph Sport runs the rule over Liverpool's, Arsenal's and Man City's chances Sam Dean 2 April 2024 • 7:11pm Related Topics.
Myanmar holds annual parade of strength despite unprecedented
Thousands of Myanmar military personnel have held their annual parade of strength even after a recent series of unprecedented battlefield defeats. The head of Myanmar's ruling military council alleged in a speech that the nation's youth are being tricked by propaganda into supporting the resistance against army rule.
Ronna McDaniel, TV News and the Trump Problem
The former Republican National Committee chairwoman was hired by NBC and then let go after an outcry.

How to use the ‘Rule of Three’ to create engaging speeches

The Rule of Three

The Rule of Three for Speech Structure

The Rule of Three for Emphasis

The Rule of Three for Humour

The Rule of Three for Persuasion

Engaging Words

Master the Rule of Three Speech Technique for Maximum Impact

What is the Rule of Three Speech Structure?

Tips on How to Use the Rule of Three

Decide What Three Ideas You Want to Convey

Examples of Powerful Rule of Three Speeches

Benefits of Using the Rule of Three

Frequently Asked Questions and Their Answers

What are the benefits of using the “rule of three” in speeches?

How is the “rule of three” used in public speaking?

Speech Critiques

How to Use the Rule of Three in Your Speeches

Western Culture and the Rule of Three

Historic Rule of Three Speech Examples

What’s Magical About the Rule of Three?

Rhetorical Devices — Rule of Three

Contemporary Speech Examples using the Rule of Three

Other Magical Ways to Harness the Power of Three in Speechwriting

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How To Communicate Better With The Rule Of Three

What Is The Rule Of Three?

How To Use The Rule Of Three In Communication?

Examples Of The Rule Of Three

Final Thoughts

How to Use the ‘Rule of Three’ for Engaging Speeches

Using Rhetorical Devices

Using Triads For Emphasis:

Incorporating Stories And Examples

Telling Three Related Stories:

Sharing Three Relevant Examples:

Explaining Three Case Studies:

Creating Memorable Soundbites

Crafting Three Impactful Soundbites

Injecting Humor Into The Three Soundbites

Using The Rule Of Three For Catchy Slogans

Frequently Asked Questions Of How To Use The ‘Rule Of Three’ To Create Engaging Speeches

How Does The ‘Rule Of Three’ Improve Speech Delivery?

Can The ‘Rule Of Three’ Be Used In Different Types Of Speeches?

How Can I Incorporate The ‘Rule Of Three’ In My Speech?

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