There’s something magical about the number 3. (Just ask the people at Schoolhouse Rock, right?)
Our minds find comfort, balance and completeness when things happen in threes.
As an example, look at that last sentence above. Notice the three details: comfort, balance & completeness. How would the sentence be different if it just said "Our minds find comfort and balance when things happen in threes"?
Threes create a pattern that research has found is easier for the brain to process and remember.
Think, for a moment, of how you notice instances of three in the world:
Morning, noon & night
Life, liberty & the pursuit of happiness
Before, during, after
“Just do it.” (Nike’s slogan - three words)
Ready? Set. Go!
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
The three branches of government (legislative, judicial & executive)
The Three Musketeers, Three Blind Mice, Three Little Pigs, Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Beginning, middle, & end
3…2…1… (countdown)
It is easy to harness this sense of comfort, balance and completeness in our writing by using a technique called the Power of Three. As a matter of fact, you are probably already using it and don’t even know it!