patterns
Rule of Three
Apr 23,2009 Scott MitchellOrganizing ideas and messages into threes increases their clarity, memorability and beauty. In writing or speaking, this means focusing on three key points. In visual design, this means illustrating ideas using three main visual elements.
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The “Rule of Three” is found throughout history in mathematics, art, architecture and literature. While there is no research (that I know of) to prove the “Rule of Three” there are numerous anecdotal sources that suggest its power.
In narrative and presentations, the Rule of Three can be applied in two distinct ways:
- List of Three Items. In this instance, the presenter hones a list of ideas or concept into three points or categories to increased memorability.
- Structure of Three Parts. In this instance, the presenter structures either the entire presentation or vignettes within the presentation as a Three Act Structure.
Research published in 2007 suggests that there is something “magical” about patterns of three and their impact on perceptions.
Examples
The “Rule of Three” can sometimes affect retention and recall. Take, for example, Winston Churchill’s famous May 13, 1940 speech to the House of Commons. Most recall “Blood, sweat and tears” when he actually said, “Blood, toil, tears and sweat.” It is interesting to note both the drop of “toil” as well as the change in sequence.
Issac Asimov’s uses the “Rule of Three” in his Three Laws of Robotics:
- A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
- A robot must obey orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
- A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
Freud proposed that the psyche was devided into three parts:
- Ego
- Super-Ego
- Id
And so on…
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