Antony West (Author)

Why is it that so many things come in threes? The Three Little Pigs, the three wishes of a genie, the three-act structure. It’s because the ‘rule of three’ is a powerful tool for rhythm and emphasis. It’s psychologically pleasing. When teaching students about structure and emphasis, we can use this rule. Encourage them to use it in their descriptions: “The house was tall, dark, and menacing.” Or in their character’s actions: “He ran to the door, fumbled with the lock, and finally burst through.” It’s a simple trick, but one that can make their writing feel more professional and polished.