…or so goes the Schoolhouse Rock song stuck in my head as I drafted this post.
Happy Friday, everyone! Today, I’d like to draw your attention to a simple writing strategy, called the Rule of Three.
According to Copyblogger, the Rule of Three is a writing principle that suggests that events, characters, and ideas are more satisfying, humorous, and effective when they are presented in threes:
“It’s no coincidence that some of the most famous quotes from throughout history are structured in three parts, nor is it surprising that the Rule of Three also works wonders in the world of comedy. It all comes down to the way we humans process information. We have become proficient at pattern recognition by necessity, and three is the smallest number of elements required to create a pattern. This combination of pattern and brevity results in memorable content, and that’s why the Rule of Three will make you a more engaging writer.”
It’s true! This rule isn’t limited to French revolutionaries (liberté, egalité, fraternité…anyone?) or stories about little pigs. If you present information in lists or bullet points of three, there’s a much better chance that your content will get your readers’ attention–if only by the simple process of recognition.
So, in the spirit of the Rule of Three, here are some of our best blog posts from the past week (that just so happen to include the number three). Enjoy!
- Here are three ways to get your freelancers to do more great, and less good.
- Here are three mistakes that marketing writers make, and how to avoid them.
- And finally, three ways to maximize the mental health benefits of hiring freelancers.
You probably saw that bulleted list coming, didn’t you?
