4.3.8
Triple (Rule of 3)
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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.

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.

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.

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.
1Key Terms
1.1Key Terms
2Language Devices
3Writing Structure
4Section B: Reading & Writing
4.1Writing Formats
4.2Writing to...
4.2.1Writing to Inform4.2.2Writing to Inform - Example4.2.3Writing to Explain4.2.4Writing to Explain - Example4.2.5Writing to Persuade4.2.6Writing to Persuade - Example4.2.7Writing to Argue4.2.8Writing to Argue - Example4.2.9Writing to Persuade vs Writing to Argue4.2.10Writing to Advise4.2.11Writing to Advise - Example4.2.12End of Topic Test - Writing to...
5Section C: Writing
Jump to other topics
1Key Terms
1.1Key Terms
2Language Devices
3Writing Structure
4Section B: Reading & Writing
4.1Writing Formats
4.2Writing to...
4.2.1Writing to Inform4.2.2Writing to Inform - Example4.2.3Writing to Explain4.2.4Writing to Explain - Example4.2.5Writing to Persuade4.2.6Writing to Persuade - Example4.2.7Writing to Argue4.2.8Writing to Argue - Example4.2.9Writing to Persuade vs Writing to Argue4.2.10Writing to Advise4.2.11Writing to Advise - Example4.2.12End of Topic Test - Writing to...
5Section C: Writing
Practice questions on Triple (Rule of 3)
Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.
- 1Which phrases use triples?True / false
- 2Which phrase uses a triple?Multiple choice
- 3Which triple best describes the picture?Multiple choice
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