After years of working in education and studying many different learning theories and techniques, I still find myself coming back to the first one my father taught me when I was young, the Rule of Three. While the Rule of Three is nothing new, in fact the theory can be traced as far back as Aristotle, the simple principals are easily applicable to implement in your workforce strategies.
What is the Rule of Three?
The Rule of three simply explained is a writing principal that states when information is presented and received in groupings of three, the information is intrinsically more amusing, more gratifying, and effective thus making it more memorable.
For example, you’ll notice that important speeches or presentations tend to poignantly focus on three key items. In academia its common practice to structure lessons and assignments around the rule of three. Learners of all ages typically need to do or interact with the new content three times before the information becomes concrete to memory. This is especially true in any kind of technical training. Just think of the old joke “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” Practice, practice, practice. The same concept can be applied to learning any new skill. It takes practice for training to become automated into daily activities.
Moving into the digital age where we are in a constant barrage of information, why not put this timeless philosophy to use. When sending messages to your membership or customers, don’t over stimulate them with too much information, rather several small “chunks” of information that are easily digestible. The easier it is to comprehend the information, the quicker it will be retained.
Next try to provide visual aids that follow the same practice. In terms of groupings, make sure that information is grouped logically. In terms of your templates, three headline stories can serve as a strong visual structure. If you have multiple CTA’s, try grouping them into or under three categories that make sense to your viewer when trying to navigate to the information they need.
While the Rule of Three works well for grouping information, it’s not recommended using template layouts in 3 long skinny columns as that can appear congested and be difficult for the reader to identify the key information. Visual layout should remain simple and clear to communicate your main focal points. Keep it simple and use the Rule of Three’s general principals to help convey what you really want your consumer to know.
FAQs
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.
What is the rule of three concept? ›
Hence, the rule of three: a principle that suggests that things arranged in threes are more satisfying, effective, and memorable than other numbers. This principle is used in various forms of communication, from storytelling to public speaking, advertising, and more.
What is the rule of 3 example? ›
For example, the speech "Non-Violence and Racial Justice" contained a binary opposition made up of the rule of three: "insult, injustice and exploitation", followed a few lines later by "justice, good will, and brotherhood".
Why is the rule of three so powerful? ›
More than three is harder on both the storyteller and the audience. So, as it's the lowest number of elements required to create a pattern, three becomes the go-to for many writers.
What is the rule of three in psychology? ›
The rule of three is a principle suggesting that things that come in threes are inherently more satisfying and effective than any other number.
What is rule 3? ›
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.
What is the 3 rule of law? ›
Accountability: the government and its officials and agents are accountable under the law. Just Law: the law is clear, publicized, and stable, and is applied evenly. It ensures human rights as well as properly, contract, and procedural rights. Open Government: the processes enforced are accessible, fair, and efficient.
What is rule number 3 in life? ›
In 12 Rules for Life, Rule #3 is “Make Friends With People Who Want The Best For You.” What does this mean? Why would you ever friends with people who don't want the best for you? Life isn't that simple. Sometimes you attract friends who want to bring you down.
What is the rule of three for dummies? ›
The rule of thirds is a photography composition technique, designed to create balance and draw the viewer's eye to your subject. The points at which the lines intersect are the most powerful points on your frame, so focus on getting your subjects on, or near, these points.
What is the best rule of three? ›
Make it Impactful: There is a trick in the "Rule of Three" to make your point more impactful. Always try to use this format: Good-Better-Best. Make the last point the strongest argument. This is the point people or the audience will remember.
The Rule of Three (also Three-fold Law or Law of Return) is a religious tenet held by some Wiccans, Neo-Pagans and occultists. It states that whatever energy a person puts out into the world, be it positive or negative, will be returned to that person three times.
What is the rule of 3 human? ›
In general, the human can survive for: 3 minutes without breathing (asphyxiation, blood loss) 3 hours without shelter in an extreme environment (exposure) 3 days without water (dehydration)
What is the ancient rule of three? ›
I often teach what is called the Rule of Three in my workshops and lectures, and thought I'd share the idea with you all. Basically, the Rule of Three is an ancient principle of storytelling in which words, characters or events occur in patterns of three. Humans are pattern-loving creatures.
What does the Rule of 3 encourage? ›
The rule of three is a writing principle that suggests that events or characters introduced in threes are more humorous, satisfying, or effective in execution of the story and engaging the reader. For nerds, there is a Latin phrase “omne trium perfectum” which translates to everything that comes in threes is perfect.
What is the rule of three principle? ›
The rule of three is a principle that has been used in communication for centuries, and it suggests that things that come in threes are inherently more satisfying, effective, and memorable than other numbers.
What good things come in threes? ›
Rock, paper, scissors. Third time's the charm. Genies always grant three wishes. Even the American Constitution promises a trio of good things: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
What is the rule of thirds concept? ›
What is the rule of thirds? The rule of thirds is a composition guideline that places your subject in the left or right third of an image, leaving the other two thirds more open.
What is the rule of three approach? ›
The Rule of Three for learning establishes the requirement that students be given the opportunity to learn something at least three times before they are expected to know it and apply it. In math, the Rule of Three is a method of finding a ratio.
What is the rule of three method? ›
The rule of 3 is an operation that helps us quickly solve both direct and inverse proportion word problems. In order to use the rule of 3, we need three values: two that are proportional to one another and a third. From there, we will figure out the fourth value.
