What Is the “Rule of Three” — A Literary Writing Technique

The Rule of Three is one of the most important principles in writing—but what exactly is the Rule of Three? We’ll explore this fascinating and practical rule by analyzing examples in sentences, situations, and stories. Treat this article as a reference guide you can consult whenever you hit a writing block.

Why Is the Rule of Three Important?

It influences everything from sentence structure to plot. More importantly, it has become a built‑in pattern of communication for people all over the world. We’ll go through these rules one by one, but first let’s define the Rule of Three.

What Is the Rule of Three?

The Rule of Three is a narrative principle that suggests people find concepts, situations, and ideas easier to understand when they are grouped in threes. Over time, experts in anthropology have confirmed that this rule is an archetypal principle that applies on three levels: sentences, situations, and stories.

Subtypes of the Rule of Three

• Three words expressing the same idea (“life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”)

• Tricolon: when three parallel elements are similar in word count or syllables (veni, vidi, vici; “I came, I saw, I conquered”)

So we know this rule is an important writing principle, but how exactly is it used on the three levels of sentences, situations, and stories?

The Rule as Applied to Sentences

This rule is perhaps most commonly used in sentences. You might think it feels forced, but in practice it’s almost always satisfying.

For example, in our article on The Scorpion and the Frog, there’s a sentence that reads: “The story of The Scorpion and the Frog can be used to demonstrate, subvert, and communicate character archetypes.”

In this example, the sentence uses the rule to emphasize three action verbs: demonstrate, subvert, and communicate. However, the rule doesn’t have to rely on action verbs; it can also use nouns.

Take this example from our article on John Carpenter’s best films: his stories explore “the dark side of the unknown, the hubris of man’s institutions, and the middle ground where science and the spiritual world meet.”

Let’s bold those nouns: the dark side of the unknown, the hubris of human institutions, and the middle ground where science and the spiritual world meet. It flows smoothly.

You may also notice this rule in marketing. Here are some examples of taglines and film titles that use the Rule of Three:

• The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

• Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

• Stop, Look and Listen

• Sex, Lies and Videotape

• Snap! Crackle! Pop!

In short, the rule is a key component in crafting effective titles and sentences. Keep it in mind as you write to make your prose more fluid and rhythmic.

The Rule Makes Situations More Compelling

How many times have you seen a character in a film or TV show outline the villain’s plan as a sequence of three?

“He plans to attack the princess’s transport, capture her, and then destroy her home planet.”

We see this not only in Star Wars but in nearly every story known to humankind. When using the Rule of Three to describe a situation, always save the most important part for last.

Think about it: you don’t want to put the most important point first, because that makes the next two feel trivial.

Sometimes, the most important point is actually the easiest to forget. In the Star Wars script, Obi‑Wan Kenobi describes Anakin Skywalker as “the best star‑pilot in the galaxy, a cunning warrior, and a good friend.”

“At the best star‑pilot in the galaxy” sounds like the most important point, but in fact “a good friend” is what truly matters. Lucas skillfully uses the number three to create a resonant emotional tone.

The Rule Shapes Plot Structure

This rule is also the cornerstone of the ancient three‑act structure. The three‑act structure holds that any story works best when it is composed of three parts: a beginning, a middle, and an end.

The logic behind trailer editing

The power of three also appears on a macro level, such as in character relationships. Here are some common examples:

• The Three Musketeers

• The Three Little Pigs

• The Three Stooges

• “Three visits to the thatched cottage” (the story of Zhuge Liang being visited three times)

• Harry, Ron, and Hermione (Harry Potter)

• Luke, Leia, and Han Solo (Star Wars)

• Bella, Edward, and Jacob (Twilight)

• The Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come (A Christmas Carol)

Some of the most famous character dynamics in history are built on threes. There are three ways to write a trio of characters: the first is to simply present the three together on the same page (as with “the Three Wise Men”). The second is to let conflict erupt among Harry, Ron, and Hermione. The third is to create a love triangle among Bella, Edward, and Jacob. The only difference between the second and third is whether romantic elements are involved.

The examples in this article are just a few of the ways to use this rule. Next time you read an article or watch a film, pay attention to how the creator uses the Rule of Three—you’ll likely learn something new about narrative patterns.