Magic of Three. “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.“...

Magic of Three

• “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.“ ~Benjamin Franklin• "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” ~US

Declaration of Independence• “Peace, order and good government” ~Canadian

Constitution Act• “A happy life is one spent in learning, earning, and

yearning.” ~actress Lillian Gish• "Government of the people, by the people, for the

people." ~Abraham Lincoln

So what is the Magic of Three?

The Magic of Three (AKA tricolon) is a writing technique used to make writing sound more rhythmical

and to convey images or ideas more effectively.

Look back at the Benjamin Franklin Quote…“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.“ ~Benjamin Franklin

Each of the three parts is a complete sentence with the same structure: __________ me and I _____________.• One of the things that make the “Magic of Three” magical is that each of the

three parts should be of the same length and structure.

Pair Share…What are the common structures in the other quotes (see below)?

1. "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” ~US Declaration of Independence

2. “Peace, order and good government” ~Canadian Constitution Act

3. “A happy life is one spent in learning, earning, and yearning.” ~actress Lillian Gish

4. "Government of the people, by the people, for the people." ~Abraham Lincoln

More Magic

• Another part of the "magic" is how the words sound together. Try to read each phrase, changing the order of the words, such as "life, the pursuit of happiness, and liberty." That doesn't have the same musical quality as the original.

Guided Practice

• Identify examples of Magic of Three in the sample piece.