The rule of three is a powerful technique to structure your main points in a speech or presentation. It helps you create a clear, memorable, and persuasive message that resonates with your audience. In this article, you will learn what the rule of three is, why it works, and how to apply it to your own speeches.
The rule of three is a principle that suggests that grouping things in threes makes them more effective, memorable, and satisfying. It is based on the idea that humans have a natural tendency to remember and process information in patterns of three. Think of how many things come in threes: the three musketeers, the three little pigs, the three wise men, the three branches of government, the three parts of a joke, and so on. The rule of three applies to various aspects of communication, such as writing, storytelling, design, and marketing. But it is especially useful for public speaking, as it can help you organize your main points, craft your arguments, and deliver your message with impact.
As a standup comedian, I've experienced firsthand the power of the rule of three. It's a technique I use to structure jokes effectively. The rule of three is all about creating patterns, building anticipation, and then delivering a punchline that breaks that pattern. It's a fundamental principle in humor, and it works because it aligns with how people naturally process information in threes. Now, in my public speaking engagements, I apply this same rule. I organize my main points using the rule of three because I understand its ability to make a message more memorable and engaging. Whether I'm aiming to entertain or persuade, this technique helps me craft a message that resonates with my audience and leaves a lasting impact. ??
The rule of three is an effective tool for public speaking because it taps into the cognitive and emotional processes of your audience. It simplifies the message by having three main points that are easier to follow, understand, and remember. It also balances the message by covering different aspects of the topic and creates a sense of harmony and completeness. Additionally, it emphasizes the message by making it more memorable, catchy, and persuasive. The rule of three also allows you to use rhetorical devices, such as repetition, contrast, and parallelism, to enhance your delivery and appeal to your audience's emotions.
The rule of three works for several compelling reasons. It aligns with the way our minds naturally process information and connect with storytelling. Simplicity By presenting three main points, it simplifies the message for your audience, making it easier to understand and remember. Our brains are wired to recognize patterns, and threes create a clear structure. Balance It balances your message by covering different aspects of the topic. This ensures that you provide a well-rounded view or argument, fostering a sense of completeness in your audience. Emphasis The rule of three emphasizes your message. The repetition of key points makes them more memorable and persuasive. It's like a catchy refrain in a song that sticks in your mind.
We are programmed to process information through instinctive pattern recognition. THREE IS THE SMALLEST NUMBER REQUIRED TO MAKE A PATTERN. Uses other rhetorical devices to make it more memorable. Steve Jobs Hyperbole. It all goes back to Aristotle's Ethos, Pathos, and Legos. Ethos: Credibility; Pathos: Emotional influence; Logos: Logic & Appeal to Reason. Repetitio, redundancy. Interrogatio: "Pretty cool, huh." Anaphora: We solved it with computers, the mouse, and three things. Exclamatio: the killer app is making calls.Simile: It works like magic. Metaphor, anastrophe, and 20 others were used in the iPhone Keynote. Steve Jobs uses rhetorical questions. Who is going to want a PC? What idiot is going to want that?
The rule of three is a versatile technique that can be adapted to any type of speech or presentation. To apply it to your own speeches, you must first identify your main message and then choose three main points that support it. For each point, you need to provide evidence, examples, stories, or statistics that back up your claim and connect with your audience. Additionally, you must link your points to each other and to the main message with transitions and signposts. When delivering the speech, use the rule of three to create a strong opening, body, and conclusion. In the opening, introduce the main message and preview the points. In the body, present the points in a logical order while using the rule of three for contrast, repetition, or parallelism. Finally, in the conclusion summarize the points and restate the main message in an impactful way.
To use the rule of three effectively in a speech (not in a short form comedy joke) here’s some advice… *Select Three Main Points* Choose three key supporting points that reinforce your main message. *Provide Evidence* For each point, back it up with evidence, examples, stories, or statistics that resonate with your audience. Structure Organize your speech into three parts - a strong opening (introducing your main message and previewing points), a structured body (presenting points logically using the rule of three for emphasis), and a impactful conclusion (summarizing points and restating the main message). Wherever possible, use 3 items when listing off examples. Ideally with the third one being the one that stands out.
"Three has often been used together with another rhetorical figure, repetition, and jobs would repeat nine times the three features of a product. A good story--and nearly every successful Hollywood movie--follows the three-act structure: setup, conflict, and resolution. The setup is critical. It introduces the characters and provides the background to move the action forward. Have you ever noticed how many successful companies use the power of three to enhance their marketing? Airbnb, Nike?; It ultimately boils down to how we process information. identifying patterns. Interestingly, the smallest number of elements needed to form a pattern is three. A trio of Latin words: Omne trium perfectum. “Everything that comes in threes is perfect.”
Here's a key thing about The Three: ?The First will probably be remembered, but not as strongly as The Third ?The Second, if coherent, will most likely be forgotten ?The Third will stick the most, so structure your points accordingly