Have you ever noticed how The Lord of the Rings movies use the rule of three?

They are absolute masterpieces for so many reasons, but there’s one subtle storytelling trick that makes them even more powerful—something I only recently picked up after my xth rewatch (where x is >20 but <50… don’t judge me! 😆).

The trilogy actually opens with it:

The world is changed.
I feel it in the water (1).
I feel it in the earth (2).
I smell it in the air (3).

Using the rule of three is very effective because our brains like to remember in patterns, and three is the smallest number that forms one (just try saying your phone number out loud! 😊). That’s why the rule of three is so effective in storytelling, speeches, and presentations.

Next time you’re preparing a presentation, try incorporating the rule of three.
You can do it in so many ways, for instance, within the same sentence, “We can make the world a better place by doing 1, 2, and 3”, or like Galadriel, with three consecutive lines.

But as with anything, use it naturally—don’t force it!