by Fred Miller
Throughout history, the number THREE has been used in a variety of important ways.
- Three blind mice
- Three strikes – you’re out!
- Ready – Aim – Fire!
- Good – Better – Best!
- A Three-Act play is the standard structure in Hollywood.
- In a speech, there’s the Opening – Body – Conclusion.
- When telling jokes, the formula is Setup – Anticipation – Punch line.
THREE is also a magical number when it comes to Delivering Great Presentations!
Here’s Why:
We want the audience to remember our message. People can’t recall more than three or four things. Using THREE items, adjectives, or descriptions will increase the odds that your audience will GET IT! and remember your message.
Use ONE for emphasis.
- “Zoom is a great way to virtually deliver presentations.”
Use TWO for comparison.
- Fast - Slow
- Up - Down
- Black - White
Use THREE for completeness.
- Examples below.
Use FOUR OR MORE for a list.
- A shopping or a to-do list
Examples of THREE:
-“Speaking Opportunities are Business, Career, and Leadership Opportunities!”
-“I Speak, Coach, and Write about Networking, Public Speaking, and Presentation Skills.”
-“Don’t use Buzz Words, Acronyms, or Techno-Speak.”
Fact:
We do a lot of this intuitively. Now that you know the power of THREE, do this:
When you’re using TWO items, adjectives, or descriptions – goose it up one.
If employing FOUR OR MORE, drop them down to THREE.
That’s the Importance of THREE for Speeches and Communication:
Understand it – Practice it – Use it.
Do that, and I guarantee your next presentation will be absolutely, positively – NO SWEAT!
Fred Miller (fred@NoSweatPublicSpeaking.com) is a Speaker, International Coach and Author. Businesses and individuals hire him to improve their public speaking and presentaiton skills.
Submitted 4 years 10 days ago