One. Two. Three.
Three - it's the magic number.
De La Soul said that and I trust them.
And perhaps they weren't talking about public speaking, but they were bob on.
Some of the most powerful phrases ever written come in threes.
Veni, vidi, vici.
Blood, sweat and tears.
Brain. Page. Stage.
Okay, that last one is mine.
Soz.
And I'll be honest, when I was trying to nail down my approach to the work I do, I wasn't just looking for something that made sense.
I was looking something that was easy to say, easy to remember and easy to refer to.
Three things. Alliterative. Boom.
The rule of three (or tricolon* if you want to sound like you wandered into a classics lecture and couldn't find your way out) is one of the oldest and most reliable tools in speaking and writing. Most people use it without even knowing they're doing it.
Which is groovy.
Aaaannnnd... using it deliberately is something else entirely.
It works for a variety of reasons.
One thing is a statement. It's also limiting as hell with zero choice.
Two things is a comparison. Perhaps even a dichotomy, that will create some tension - it's either this or that.
Look around the world and you see people using this to cause separation.
Three things?
Choice. Rhythm. And some resolution.
Your brain will see it. And it feels comfy - like your favourite pair of soft trousers.
If you look around you'll see it everywhere.
Like in comedy, where perhaps it works a little differently.
You set up a pattern with the first two. Something normal or expected. And then you drop the third in, which is usually left field or just plain weird.
The first two build the expectation. The third destroys it. That's where the laugh lives.
I use it a lot. In writing and in speaking.
Because it creates a comfort and a rhythm.
Now, there is something to consider with threes. Using them too much.
You can force them and it's painful.
(Yes AI, I'm looking at you here and the people who just copy and paste some sloppy shite straight into their posts)
You might not notice it, but you'll probably feel it.
It's when people are told that they must use three things and they do it to tick the box, not because it works.
Because sometimes you need one. Or two. Perhaps even four or more.
When a three doesn't work, it makes the other two look a bit pants.
Like all things, use it intentionally. And not just because some said to use it.
When I review a client's script and they've got twelve points they want to make, one of the first things we do is ask "what are the three things you actually want people to remember?"
Not twelve. Three.
What do you want them to think? What do you want them to feel? What do you want them to do?
It's amazing how those simple questions change the whole flavour of the work.
If you're writing something, whether a speech, a post, a pitch, try putting your key message into three parts. It will feel different and be a lot more effective.
If you've got some speaking coming up and you're wondering if you should wear your brown trousers**, and you need some help then give me a shout.
Or come along to the Speaking Without Freaking workshop on June 5th in Bromsgrove.
*I often joke with people that tricolon means "three bottoms".
**With the speaking - not with finding trousers - I know better people who can do that.