How to Use the Rule of Three in Your Speeches
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.
What is the rule of three? What are some famous examples? How do you use it in speeches? Read on!
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:
- Christianity
- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
- Heaven, hell, and purgatory
- Three Wise Men with their gold, frankincense, and myrrh
- Movies & Books
- 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.
- Politics
- 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
- Civic, Organizational, and Societal Mottos
- 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:
- Julius Caesar
- “Veni, vidi, vici” (I came, I saw, I conquered)
- Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar
- “Friends, Romans, Countrymen. Lend me your ears.“
- 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“
- General MacArthur, West Point Address, 1962
- “Duty, Honor, Country” [repeated several times in the speech]
- Barack Obama, Inaugural 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.
Hendiatris
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]
Tricolon
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.
Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered.
[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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
… 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.
This is one of many public speaking articles featured on Six Minutes.
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Olivia Mitchell — May 28th, 2009
Hi Andrew
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
Andrew Dlugan — May 28th, 2009
Olivia: Structure, indeed! That is the focus of the next article in this series… coming soon.
Dave Wheeler — May 28th, 2009
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.
Thanks,
D. Mark “Dave” Wheeler
Max Atkinson — Jun 2nd, 2009
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).
Simon — Jun 17th, 2009
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!
S
carol — Aug 2nd, 2009
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.
Allyncia — Sep 29th, 2009
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.
Dr Pradeep K Chadha — Nov 1st, 2009
Excellent article. To the point. Extremely useful.
Thanks.
Shobha Janardanan — Feb 28th, 2010
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!
Fred E. Miller — Jun 6th, 2010
I found the blog.
I read it.
I’ll do it!
Thanks!
Vince Stevenson — Aug 4th, 2010
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…
Peter — Oct 14th, 2010
Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll.
Great article.
Jayadev — Nov 8th, 2010
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)
Wyi — Oct 25th, 2011
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)
baum schausberger — Nov 13th, 2011
hello, talking about triads, what about four words. I am looking to divide high, middle and low in four parts, like high top, high xx, high average, and so on, you know better than me, can you help me please.
Daniel Roe @danielcroe — May 27th, 2009
RT @6minutes How to Use the Rule of Three in Your Speeches http://bit.ly/15Ydi
marion chapsal @marionchapsal — May 27th, 2009
How to use the" Rule of Three" in your Speeches? http://bit.ly/15Ydi New @6minutes Powerful & simple technique with famous examples
Bengt Wendel @btwendel — May 28th, 2009
How to use the" Rule of Three" in your Speeches? http://bit.ly/15Ydi New from @6minutes (RT @MarionChapsal)
Olivia Mitchell @oliviamitchell — May 28th, 2009
@6minutes has put together a comprehensive collection of eg:s of the Rule of Three in speechwriting http://bit.ly/FdrzD
Bengt WendelI @oliviamitchell — May 28th, 2009
How to use the" Rule of Three" in your Speeches? http://bit.ly/15Ydi New from @6minutes (RT @MarionChapsal)
Angela DeFinis @angeladefinis — May 28th, 2009
Use the Rule of Three in Your Speeches: http://bit.ly/vcbVT
John Schultz @jdschultz — May 28th, 2009
How to Use the Rule of Three in Your Speeches http://bit.ly/Gm7m4
Bert Decker @bertdecker — May 28th, 2009
The ‘rule of three’ works! Good post by @6minutes: http://tr.im/mGkS
Luis Saldana @lsaldanamd — May 28th, 2009
RT @BertDecker The ‘rule of three’ works! Good post by @6minutes: http://tr.im/mGkS
Bob Choat @bobchoat — May 28th, 2009
RT @BertDecker: The ‘rule of three’ works! Good post by @6minutes: http://tr.im/mGkS
my_streamer @my_streamer — May 28th, 2009
RT @BertDecker: The ‘rule of three’ works! Good post by @6minutes: http://tr.im/mGkS
Wally Bock @wallybock — May 28th, 2009
RT @BertDecker: The ‘rule of three’ works! Good post by @6minutes: http://tr.im/mGkS Struct of many sermons
Marc and Angel @marcandangel — May 28th, 2009
The Rule of Three by @6minutes http://tr.im/mGkS …great read.
Rod Fage @rfage — May 28th, 2009
RT @marcandangel: The Rule of Three by @6minutes http://tr.im/mGkS …great read. Agreed!
edandriessen @edandriessen — May 28th, 2009
Andrew Dlugan writes about a VERY important writing/speaking concept "rule of threes" – http://bit.ly/LoG1H
Kate @kate919 — May 28th, 2009
RT @marcandangel The Rule of Three by @6minutes http://tr.im/mGkS …great read.
edandriessen @edandriessen — May 28th, 2009
Andrew Dlugan writes about a VERY important writing/speaking concept “rule of threes” – http://bit.ly/LoG1H
brewern @brewern — May 28th, 2009
RT @brandonacox: How to Use the Rule of Three in Your Speeches http://ff.im/-3lIi3
Brandon Cox @brandonacox — May 28th, 2009
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Diana Schneidman @dianaschneidman — May 28th, 2009
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lybolt @lybolt — May 28th, 2009
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Intuit Community @intuitcommunity — Jun 5th, 2009
Does Obama use the Rule of Three? Can YOU use the Rule of Three in pub speaking? http://bit.ly/nCCVQ
Intuit Community @intuitcommunity — Jun 5th, 2009
Does Obama use the Rule of Three? Can YOU use the Rule of Three in pub speaking? http://bit.ly/nCCVQ
Debbie Fried @debbiefried — Aug 7th, 2009
The Rule ofThree http://bit.ly/nCCVQ
Tito de Morais @tmorais — Dec 1st, 2009
How to Use the Rule of Three in Your Speeches – http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/rule-of-three-speeches-public-speaking/
Gauri Salokhe @gaurisalokhe — Dec 17th, 2009
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Greg Ward @mediatrainingnz — Mar 9th, 2010
How to use the Rule Of Three in your speeches.. http://tinyurl.com/yj2po3a
Blake Landau @customermgmtiq — Jun 5th, 2010
Important tip 4 public speaking (or blogging complex topics) The Rule of 3 (just think Father/Son/Holy Ghost) http://tiny.cc/kdpru
Fred E. Miller @fredmiller — Jun 6th, 2010
RT @6minutes How to Use the Rule of Three in Your Speeches http://bit.ly/Ok932
SlideShare @slideshare — Jul 2nd, 2010
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Bryony Thomas @bryonythomas — Jul 2nd, 2010
@laura_champion … Another one for you: How to Use the Rule of Three in Your Speeches http://dld.bz/kbzR
Peter Aylett @pwaylett2 — Jul 2nd, 2010
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Chip D. @chipperd — Jul 3rd, 2010
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Jacobo Riquelme @jjriquelmem — Jul 5th, 2010
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M.E. Steele-Pierce @steelepierce — Jul 13th, 2010
@cybraryman1 Re the different title, rule of three: http://bit.ly/GkydI Former English teacher.
HP Toastmasters @hptoastmasters — Jul 20th, 2010
GREAT ARTICLE: "How to Use the Rule of Three in Your Speeches" – http://bit.ly/GkydI http://fb.me/BWZU4csw
Lalita Chandel @lalita_chandel — Aug 4th, 2010
reading rule of 3 @ http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/rule-of-three-speeches-public-speaking/
tucaz @tucaz — Aug 11th, 2010
@thdotnet The magic of number three
http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/rule-of-three-speeches-public-speaking/
Martin Cropper @nolimitsasia — Aug 22nd, 2010
RT @6minutes How to Use the Rule of Three in Your Speeches http://bit.ly/Ok932
Project Presentation @ppresentation — Jan 19th, 2011
RT @6minutes How to Use the Rule of Three in Your Speeches http://bit.ly/Ok932
Project Presentation @ppresentation — Jan 25th, 2011
Cómo usar la regla de 3 en tus presentaciones http://bit.ly/bmC8XY
thelawyersguide @thelawyersguide — Feb 28th, 2011
http://goo.gl/kpFXu Your careers will be determined largely by how well you speak, by how well you write, and by the quality of your ideas…
dural tm @dural_tm — Mar 4th, 2011
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2 @donatiprwriting+eugene%20donati — Apr 9th, 2011
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Todd Clarke @toddaclarke — May 5th, 2011
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Earlybirds PR @earlybirdspeak — Jul 10th, 2011
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Beckenhamspeakers @beckenhamspeak — Nov 14th, 2011
Rule of three http://t.co/pBFhGuQ4
Paul Goodliffe @paulgoodliffe — Nov 14th, 2011
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Carlos Sano Roche @seekpreneurs — Nov 16th, 2011
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salonso @salonso — Dec 15th, 2011
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Norma Dragoevich @normadra — Dec 15th, 2011
A favoritos
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BLASTmediaPR @blastmediapr — Jan 16th, 2012
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iupuiprssa @iupuiprssa — Jan 16th, 2012
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Gail Zack Anderson @applauseinc — Apr 3rd, 2012
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Rob Smith @redgierob — Apr 29th, 2012
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@mbrayford http://t.co/pck0gzsc lots of ideas here for rule of 3 u will have heard of
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