I come from a long corporate marketing background, and the rule of threes is ground into my bones. It’s everywhere. I even have a writing pattern I call 3x3, which is 3-part series in a 3-part arc.
I love writing longform—and right now, three-part series feel like the shape my stories want to take. They keep the rhythm tight, the pacing intentional, and the emotional payoff exactly where I want it. Then I always have a 50,000-ft view of the arc as a whole, and they typically settle into triads.
I wrote under a pseudonym for years, so my current Substack’s still catching up. But the structure’s already forming. :)
I careered in corporate communications and advertising, too. Employing threes is magic. It provides the visual stability, simplicity and quick grasp that “selling” relies upon. Look, I just used it! Ha!
This was fascinating! I'd never thought about it, I guess we do it instinctively. And I love Matthew McConnaughey. His autobiography is great. Especially the audio version... sigh...
The opening line of Julius Caesar is "Hence! home, you idle creatures, get you home!" spoken by Flavius. The quote referenced in the post is spoken by Marc Antony comes in Act IV.
Schoolhouse Rock, on Saturday morning television in the '70s, declared that "three is a magic number". Obviously whoever wrote that studied Aristotle's "Rhetoric"...
Loved this. I'm partial to (I was going to say threesomes, but that could be misinterpreted :-) the rule of three myself, and often use it unconsciously when I write. It's a rhythm thing. Very satisfying (gosh, that all sounds even more dubious). You know what I mean!
"A man is pacing the front of a room, hands waving as he talks about the art of writing. He’s wearing a toga, fastened at one shoulder."
Wait, what? Aristotle wore a toga? But that was Roman clothing, and Aristotle was Greek and lived before the Roman conquest of Greece. Greeks in Aristotle's time found clothes like togas offensive because they required cutting fabric (a taboo in that era of Athenian history) and it constricted movement. Speaking of which, how did he wave both hands while a toga constricted one of his arms?
Maybe you wrote it this way on purpose to prove your point about persuasion, because I find the image of Aristotle wearing a toga so unbelievable it broke my immersion in the writing and I didnt read more than a few paragraphs before writing this comment (I will continue after I get this off my chest).
I'm with you on the Toga thing – but I'm afraid I don't trust my memory now that we have the ability to Google anything . I'm afraid Alexa is a bit of a letdown regarding historical facts in my experience. However, it's nice to be reminded about these things like the rule of three, and the imagery of Aristotle and his students is rather nice.
Thanks for that. I've had an interest in philosophy for 60 years, and I still think that Aristotle is my favourite. You've reminded me of the days before smart phones, when one went to the library every week and got oneself a bit of education!
Oh, then I have such a surprise for you. I based that on a 2nd century statue. And photos of statues at Britannica. And history sites. I was surprised, too. See? Had to run with that.
Im confused. All those statues show him wearing chitons or himations, which were typical clothing for Greek men of his time. None if them show togas. What is supposed to be the surprise?
It's true, Aristotle wouldn't have worn a toga. But the fix - if you're interested - is simple. Instead of the 'toga' sentence, you could have: "He's wearing a tunic, cinched at the waist." The rhythm would remain the same and the ambience, for those otherwise discerning the difference, would remain intoxicating.
I come from a long corporate marketing background, and the rule of threes is ground into my bones. It’s everywhere. I even have a writing pattern I call 3x3, which is 3-part series in a 3-part arc.
Love it.
I'd love to hear about your writing pattern!
I love writing longform—and right now, three-part series feel like the shape my stories want to take. They keep the rhythm tight, the pacing intentional, and the emotional payoff exactly where I want it. Then I always have a 50,000-ft view of the arc as a whole, and they typically settle into triads.
I wrote under a pseudonym for years, so my current Substack’s still catching up. But the structure’s already forming. :)
Super good, moderately great, extremely uncommon.
The last thre lines of his speech. Something to live by. In the aftermath of yesterday’s massacre at Florida State University.
I careered in corporate communications and advertising, too. Employing threes is magic. It provides the visual stability, simplicity and quick grasp that “selling” relies upon. Look, I just used it! Ha!
It literally is! Who knew that math could help with writing :-)
Only you could put this together in this way. AI will never be able to do this.
lol. That was GREAT. Thank you Michelle
This was fascinating! I'd never thought about it, I guess we do it instinctively. And I love Matthew McConnaughey. His autobiography is great. Especially the audio version... sigh...
I think people who read a lot maybe do it instinctively. I'm not sure everyone does. That sigh made me laugh. Did he read it, then?
Yes! I highly recommend for a lazy afternoon in a hammock!
Sounds like a done deal lol
yes! Greenlight!
This is a really good post. I never thought about it that way. Thanks for provoking my mind today!
You are so welcome and thank you, too.
Brilliant, Informative, enjoyable.
The essence of a great piece. Thank you, Linda !
Thanks, Roger! :)
Julius Caesar said: "friends, Romans, countrymen.."? I thought he was dead and buried by the time tht speech was given. ( by Mark Antony )
The opening line of Julius Caesar is "Hence! home, you idle creatures, get you home!" spoken by Flavius. The quote referenced in the post is spoken by Marc Antony comes in Act IV.
Triangles. Strongest. Structures.
The Father. The Son. The Holy Ghost.
Thesis. Antithesis. Synthesis. Hegel. Says. Hi.
Loved. This. Post.
Shutting. Up. Now.
I was thinking this also.
Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Superconscious. Conscious. Subconscious.
Body, Mind Spirit. Head, Heart, Hands.
I love head, heart, hands. That describes writing.
It's everywhere. I kept thinking of more and had to make myself stop lol. Glad you loved this
Schoolhouse Rock, on Saturday morning television in the '70s, declared that "three is a magic number". Obviously whoever wrote that studied Aristotle's "Rhetoric"...
Right? Exactly.
This was the first thing I thought of and was humming it in the back of my head as I read this. Fantastic article Linda!
This is wonderful, amazing, and so brilliant ! (x3 !)
lol Well played, William. Glad you enjoyed. :)
Loved this. I'm partial to (I was going to say threesomes, but that could be misinterpreted :-) the rule of three myself, and often use it unconsciously when I write. It's a rhythm thing. Very satisfying (gosh, that all sounds even more dubious). You know what I mean!
lol I do know exactly what you mean Jessica
Wow, I like your thinking... :-)
🤦🏻♀️ (Palm to head--in case the emoji is too small to see)
9 is my favorite number, because it is 3 sets of 3.
I had three children--3 girls.
3 is my second favorite number.
💙💛💙
See? Everywhere!
Wow. I am persuaded, enlightened and inspired.
lol Chuck. That was great
Love this, thank you!
Thank you!
Oh wow 🤯 Sharing this with every writer I know and applying this to myself, my life, and my writing. Starting now.
Right? I need to pay more attention to it, too. Thanks, Lauren
"A man is pacing the front of a room, hands waving as he talks about the art of writing. He’s wearing a toga, fastened at one shoulder."
Wait, what? Aristotle wore a toga? But that was Roman clothing, and Aristotle was Greek and lived before the Roman conquest of Greece. Greeks in Aristotle's time found clothes like togas offensive because they required cutting fabric (a taboo in that era of Athenian history) and it constricted movement. Speaking of which, how did he wave both hands while a toga constricted one of his arms?
Maybe you wrote it this way on purpose to prove your point about persuasion, because I find the image of Aristotle wearing a toga so unbelievable it broke my immersion in the writing and I didnt read more than a few paragraphs before writing this comment (I will continue after I get this off my chest).
I'm with you on the Toga thing – but I'm afraid I don't trust my memory now that we have the ability to Google anything . I'm afraid Alexa is a bit of a letdown regarding historical facts in my experience. However, it's nice to be reminded about these things like the rule of three, and the imagery of Aristotle and his students is rather nice.
Ah, well I will share the same comment I left Sara. I checked statues dating back to 2nd century. Enjoy!
https://www.worldhistory.org/image/877/aristotle-bust-palazzo-altemps/
https://www.britannica.com/story/aristotle-at-2400
https://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ar/MLA-1676414574-estatua-aristoteles-_JM
https://saloniki.guide/en/Attraction-Statue_of_Aristotle-p352-r189473-Thessaloniki
Thanks for that. I've had an interest in philosophy for 60 years, and I still think that Aristotle is my favourite. You've reminded me of the days before smart phones, when one went to the library every week and got oneself a bit of education!
Oh, then I have such a surprise for you. I based that on a 2nd century statue. And photos of statues at Britannica. And history sites. I was surprised, too. See? Had to run with that.
https://www.worldhistory.org/image/877/aristotle-bust-palazzo-altemps/
https://www.britannica.com/story/aristotle-at-2400
https://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ar/MLA-1676414574-estatua-aristoteles-_JM
https://saloniki.guide/en/Attraction-Statue_of_Aristotle-p352-r189473-Thessaloniki
Im confused. All those statues show him wearing chitons or himations, which were typical clothing for Greek men of his time. None if them show togas. What is supposed to be the surprise?
It's true, Aristotle wouldn't have worn a toga. But the fix - if you're interested - is simple. Instead of the 'toga' sentence, you could have: "He's wearing a tunic, cinched at the waist." The rhythm would remain the same and the ambience, for those otherwise discerning the difference, would remain intoxicating.
At my age, I feel like three much of the time, but when I'm writing poetry I feel like three-and-a-half.
I can relate to that. Right down to the green crayon! lol