5.1.8

Triples (Rule of 3)

Test yourself

Triples (Rule of 3)

A triple is a list of three things in a sentence. This is often a list of three adjectives but can be a variety of words and techniques. Triples are also good tools for making information stick in the reader’s head.

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Dangers of smoking

  • Smoking damages your lungs, makes your hair and skin smell, and impairs your taste buds.
    • Like repetition, the triple repeats the negative effect of smoking. It gives slightly different, but related, effects.
    • The triple leaves no room for doubt that smoking has some severely negative consequences – by repeating the negative tone, and giving three negative examples in a row, we reinforce that the effects are bad.
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Calm, quiet and peaceful

  • She glanced across the lake and studied the water. Calm. Quiet. Peaceful.
    • Like repetition, the triple repeats the positive, calming atmosphere. It gives slightly different, but related, ideas about how the character feels.
    • The triple leaves no room for doubt that the character feels soothed and that the mood is peaceful – by repeating the positive tone, and giving three positive examples in a row, we reinforce that the character is having a nice experience.
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Benefits of exercise

  • Exercise will make you stronger, healthier and happier than ever before.
    • Like repetition, the triple repeats the positive effect of exercise. It gives slightly different, but related, effects.
    • The triple leaves no room for doubt that exercise has some really positive consequences – by repeating the positive tone, and giving three positive examples in a row, we reinforce that the effects are great.

Jump to other topics

1Key Terms

2Language Techniques

3Paper 1: Reading

4Paper 1: Writing

5Paper 2: Reading

6Paper 2: Writing

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