Today’s topic was suggested to me by a reader. I hope all of you feel free to suggest topics. I love doing research and writing about something new. The rule of three is ubiquitous, not only in literature, but in life in general. On the day the reader suggested it, I had just returned from a painting road trip. One of the places I painted was St. Francis of Assisi Church in Taos, New Mexico, made famous in Georgia O’Keefe’s paintings. While there, of course I went in, because of an old Irish tradition (at least in my family) that you get three wishes when entering a church you haven’t visited before.
Three. The classic number. Not too big, not too small, the perfect size. Not hot porridge, nor cold porridge, but just right. The Rule of Three is a concept in literature that suggests putting plot segments, events, or even word modifiers in groups of three is more fluid, satisfying, and rhythmic. Three is the best for this because it’s the smallest number that can appear as a pattern. The practice is as old as Caesar’s “Veni, vidi, vici.” and as new as children’s story books that usually present three tries by the protagonist to solve a conflict: two failed attempts, and a success.
Mystery novels tease the reader with two red herrings that lead nowhere, and then provide the final solution. Theater productions usually have three acts. The rule of three is so powerful that it’s used in:
- Politics: “Government of the people, by the people, for the people”
- Advertising: “Reduce, reuse, recycle”
- Comedy: “Three _____(whatever) walk into a bar…”
Have fun noticing this pattern everywhere, and please join us at the Desert Foothills Book Festival on Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Scottsdale, AZ. We promise you will find your favorite book genre, meet some amazing authors, and enjoy a wonderful day!
Rita Goldner Author and Illustrator of Children’s Picture Books
Author of these two newsletters:
“Tell Me A Story” about literature topics, events, news.
“Orangutans and More” about endangered and interesting wild animals
ritagoldnerbooks.com
