How to Use the Rule of Three in Your Speeches

by Andrew Dlugan May 27th, 2009

The rule of three is powerful speechwriting technique that you should learn, practice, and master. Using the Rule of Three allows you to express concepts more completely, emphasize your points, and increase the memorability of your message. Thats the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. What is the rule of three? What are some famous examples? How do you use it in speeches? Read on!

Western Culture and the Rule of Three

Trios, triplets, and triads abound in Western culture in many disciplines. Just a small sampling of memorable cultural triads include:

Christianity Father, Son, and Holy Spirit Heaven, hell, and purgatory (Catholicism, primarily) Three Wise Men with their gold, frankincense, and myrrh Movies & Books The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Sex, Lies, and Videotape Supermans Truth, Justice, and the American Way Nursery rhymes such as the Three Little Pigs or Goldilocks and the Three Bears In a more general sense, there is the allure of trilogies as withIndiana Jones, The Godfather, The Matrix, Star Wars, and many others.

Politics U.S. Branches of Government: Executive, Judicial, and Legislative U.S. Declaration of Independence: Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness French motto: Libert, galit, Fraternit Abundance of tri-colored flags Civic, Organizational, and Societal Mottos Fire safety motto: Stop, Drop, and Roll Olympic motto: Citius, Altius, Fortius or Faster, Higher, Stronger Real estate: Location, Location, Location

Historic Rule of Three Speech Examples

Speechwriting is, of course, part of our culture. Examples of the Rule of Three can be found in some of the most famous speeches ever delivered:

Julius Caesar Veni, vidi, vici (I came, I saw, I conquered) Shakespeares Julius Caesar Friends, Romans, Countrymen. Lend me your ears. Abraham Lincolns Gettysburg Address We can not dedicate we can not consecrate we can not hallow this ground. Government of the people, by the people, for the people General MacArthur, West Point Address, 1962 Duty, Honor, Country [repeated several times in the speech] Barack Obama, Inaugural Speech we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America

Whats Magical About the Rule of Three?

It is reasonable to ask whats so special about three? Why is it so popular in our culture? Arent there just as many examples of two- or four-element famous speech lines? For a famous duo, there is Patrick Henrys Give me liberty or give me death. For a classic quartet, it is tough to beat Winston Churchills I would say to the House as I said to those who have joined this government: I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat. Despite examples like these, there is something magical about the Rule of Three in the way that it allows a speaker to express a concept, emphasize it, and make it memorable. In his book Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer, Roy Peter Clark provides insights to the magic of the number three:

The mojo of three offers a greater sense of completeness than four or more. -- Roy Peter Clark
the encompassing magic of number three in our language or culture, three provides a sense of the whole in the anti-math of writing, the number three is greater than four. The mojo of three offers a greater sense of completeness than four or more. Use one for power. Use two for comparison, contrast. Use three for completeness, wholeness, roundness. Use four or more to list, inventory, compile, and expand.

Rhetorical Devices Rule of Three

The rule of three describes triads of all types any collection of three related elements. Two more specific triad variants are hendiatris and tricolon.

Hendiatris
A hendiatris is a figure of speech where three successive words are used to express a central idea. Examples of hendiatris include:

Veni, vidi, vici. [Julius Caesar]

Libert, galit, Fraternit [French motto] Citius, Altius, Fortius [Olympic motto] Wine, women, and song [Anonymous]

Tricolon
A tricolon is a series of three parallel elements (words or phrases). In a strict tricolon, the elements have the same length but this condition is often put aside. Examples of tricola include:

Veni, vidi, vici. [Julius Caesar] Be sincere, be brief, be seated. [Advice for speakers from Franklin D. Roosevelt] Tonight, we gather to affirm the greatness of our nation not because of [1] the height of our skyscrapers, or [2] the power of our military, or [3] the size of our economy. [Barack Obama, Keynote speech to Democratic National Convention, July 2004]

Contemporary Speech Examples using the Rule of Three

Using the Rule of Three allows you to express concepts more completely, emphasize your points, and increase the memorability of your message.
Nearly every speech critiqued on Six Minutes has wielded the magic of the Rule of Three, as shown by numerous examples below.

Click through the links to read the detailed analysis. Watch the speech being delivered, and note the delivery of these key triads. Note how memorable these passages are within the whole speech. Examples like these cross a wide array of speech types and settings. You can study these examples, and then apply the lessons to your own speechwriting to see how you can incorporate the Rule of Three.

5 Speechwriting Lessons from Obamas Inaugural Speech Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered.

Steve Jobs: Stanford Commencement Address, 2005 [1] It means to try to tell your kids everything you thought youd have the next 10 years to tell them in just a few months. [2] It means to make sure everything is buttoned up so that it will be as easy as possible for your family. [3] It means to say your goodbyes.

Dalton Sherman: Do you believe? Youre the ones [1] who feed us, [2] who wipe our tears, [3] who hold our hands or hug us when we need it.

J.A. Gamache: Toastmasters, 2007 A sandal of hope when you reach out. A sandal of joy when you listen to your heart. A sandal of courage when you dare to care.

Electrify Your Audience with a Shocking Speech Opening

Tobacco. [long pause] Alcohol. [long pause] Guns. [long pause] Criminal items seized in a search [slight pause] of a 6th grade locker in a bad school district.

Patrick Henry Winston: How to Speak Your careers will be determined largely by how well you speak, by how well you write, and by the quality of your ideas in that order.

Speech Preparation #6: Add Impact with Rhetorical Devices we cannot predict when the wind blows. We cannot predict how strong it will be. We certainly cannot predict its direction.

Other Magical Ways to Harness the Power of Three in Speechwriting

The next Six Minutes articles in this series show you how to apply the Rule of Three to speech outlines, and how to create humor with the Rule of Three to get your audience laughing.

Why Successful Speech Outlines follow the Rule of Three

by Andrew Dlugan Jun 3rd, 2009

Previously, we learned how the rule of three improves speeches when used at the micro-speech level, to craft memorable triads of words, phrases, and sentences. In this article, we will learn how the rule of three improves speeches at the macro-speech level when applied to speech stories or to entire speech outlines.

Storytelling and the Rule of Three

Last week, my daughter and I visited our local library to fetch another bounty of childrens books. We returned with a diverse collection that included:

the educational Sesame Subjects: My First Book About Fish, the hilarious Caps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys and Their Monkey Business; and the classic The Golden Goose from the Brothers Grimm. (Note to parents: All highly recommended!) The Golden Goose is the story of three brothers who attempt to chop down the thickest tree in the forest. First, the oldest brother fails; then, the middle brother fails; finally, the youngest brother succeeds a three-part plot structure.

Every great movie, book or play that has stood the test of time has a solid Three-Act structure. -- Stephen J. Cannell
The three-part story outline is a common structure in folk tales, Biblical tales, and Hollywood plots:

Three Little Pigs The first two pigs get eaten because their houses are weak; the third pigs house of bricks is strong. Goldilocks and the Three Bears The porridge was too hot; the porridge was too cold; the porridge was just right. The Three Billy Goats Gruff The first two goats sneak past the troll, while the third goat defeats the troll.

The Good Samaritan [New Testament, Bible] The first traveller passes. The second traveller passes. The third (the Samaritan) helps the injured man.

Boy meets girl; boy loses girl; boy gets girl in the end.

The Three Act Structure

These fall under a general pattern known as a Three Act Structure. It is widely used in storytelling and screenwriting because it is a proven formula. Stephen J. Cannell claims that Every great movie, book or play that has stood the test of time has a solid Three-Act structure. Syd Field (author of The Screen Writers Workbook and other instructive screenwriting guides) asserts that most successful screenplays follow a structure like this:

Act I: Setup (approximately 30 minutes of a 2-hour movie) Act II: Confrontation (approximately 60 minutes) Act III: Resolution (approximately 30 minutes) He further asserts that these acts are separated by two plot points: events that thrust the plot in a new direction. For example, plot point #1 might be the pivotal moment when the reluctant hero is convinced to join the crusade for justice (after spending most of Act One refusing to do so). Plot point #2 might be the moment when the momentum swings from the villain to the hero, eventually leading to a triumphant climax.

This three-part structure is so pervasive in movies, books, and other storytelling forms that audiences feel naturally comfortable when it is used. This comfort can be leveraged by a skillful public speaker.

Three-Part Speech Outlines

When you apply the rule of three to your speech outline, you gain all the benefits of the three-part structure. Your presentation gains warmth, familiarity, and understandability. With the three-part outline framing your ideas, your speech will be easier to follow and remember. Lets examine a variety of three-part speech outlines, beginning with the most basic.

Speech Outline #1A: Introduction, Body, and Conclusion

It doesnt get any simpler than this. Even if you dont read the rest of this article, you will improve as a speaker if you consistently apply this generic speech outline. It seems obvious. Almost too obvious. Yet two of the most common speaking blunders are: 1. Omit the introduction: The speaker launches directly into the meat of the content without providing a roadmap or context.

Result: The audience wonders How did we get here?

2.

Omit the conclusion: The presentation ends abruptly immediately after the last statistic or slide with So any questions? Perhaps this is the result of poor time management and a novice speaker who decides Im running short on time. Ill skip the conclusion.

Result: The audience feels stranded, far from the point of origin, wondering Thats it? What does it mean?

Speech Outline #1B: Tell them what youre going to say, Say it, Tell them what you said
Repetition is a powerful speechwriting technique.
This isnt a new speech outline, but a slight elaboration of the first: 1. 2. 3. Tell them what youre going to say (Introduction) Say it (Body) Tell them what you said (Conclusion)

Some may say that this speech structure is almost too simplistic. If it is accompanied by boring content and lifeless delivery, thats a fair critique. However, repetition is a powerful speechwriting technique, and you can do much worse than repeating your key points three times during a speech to persuade your audience. Take inspiration from Lewis Carroll in The Hunting of the Snark: I have said it thrice: What i tell you three times is true.

Speech Outline #2: Past, Present, Future

This speech outline can either stand on its own:

Past, Present, Future or take the place of Body in the pattern above to make:

Introduction, Body [= Past, Present, Future], Conclusion A common application is a persuasive speech where you pitch a solution to a business problem:

Past You set the context by identifying a problem facing your company, and describing how it came to be. Present You lay out the decision to be made now, and the alternatives to choose from. Future You paint a picture of prosperity that will be realized if the right choice is made (perhaps you use a successful case study). If you apply this speech outline well, your audience will more easily understand your message. On the other hand, your audience is more likely to be confused if you jump forward and backward in time repeatedly (talk about the decision first, then the future prosperity, then the root cause of the past problem, then another alternative, then)

Speech Outline #3: Complication, Resolution, Example

Another three part speech outline for persuasive speeches is the S.Co.R.E. method offered by Andrew Abela in Advanced Presentations by Design: Creating Communication that Drives Action (read the Six Minutes book review). Abela recommends starting your speech (Introduction) by establishing theSituation, and then iterating through a three-element series of Complication,Resolution, Example. In a sequence form, your speech might look like:

Introduction Situation

Body Complication, Resolution, Example Complication, Resolution, Example Complication, Resolution, Example , , Conclusion The three-part Complication-Resolution-Example structure can be repeated once (e.g. a five-minute speech) or many times (e.g. a one-hour seminar).

Speech Outline #4A: Three Main Points

Limit yourself to your best three points. Any fewer, and your message wont be compelling. Any more, and your message risks becoming tedious.
A basic three-part informative speech outline is as follows: 1. 2. Introduction Establish topic and core message; list supporting points Body 1. 2. 3. 3. Supporting Point One Supporting Point Two Supporting Point Three

Conclusion Recap main points; summarize core message; call-to-action

In this case, the rule of three magic lies in limiting yourself to your best three points. Any fewer, and your message wont be compelling. Any more, and your message risks becoming tedious. Brainstorm many, but select your best three. The Decker Grid System (from Youve Got to Be Believed to Be Heard reviewed here) is built on this foundation. Bert Decker goes on to say that, for longer speeches, each of your three supporting points can be reinforced with (no surprise) three subpoints each.

Speech Outline #4B: Three Stories

Stories can strengthen any type of speech, but are especially powerful in motivational speeches where making an emotional connection with your audience is required. When you tell stories, pattern them on the three-act structure for maximum impact. The Three Main Points speech outline can be given a storytelling slant with the following:

When you tell stories, pattern them on the three-act structure for maximum impact.
1. 2. Attention grabbing opening which introduces the topic and core message Tell story #1.

3.

Make point #1. Tell story #2.

4.

Make point #2. Tell story #3.


5.

Make point #3. Memorable conclusion which ties together all three stories to support the core message.

Speech Outline #5: Pros, Cons, Recommendation

Well conclude with a common speech outline used for persuasive speeches where you are recommending a course of action. 1. 2. Introduction Brief setup of problem and proposal Body 1. 2. 3. 3. Pros What are the benefits of this proposal? Cons What are the drawbacks of this proposal? Recommendation Why do the pros outweigh the cons?

Conclusion Restate the pros and repeat the recommendation

Other Three-Part Speech Outlines?

Do you use other speech outlines that follow the rule of three? Please share in the comments.

Conclusion of the Rule of Three Article Series

The final article addresses how the rule of three applies to speech humor.

How to Add Power or Humor with the Rule of Three

by Andrew Dlugan Jun 8th, 2009

In the first two articles of this series, we learned how using therule of three can improve your speeches by [1] writing triads of words, phrases, and sentences and [2] by applying three-part speech outlines. In this article, you will learn how adding an unexpected twist to the third element can add power or humor to your speech.

Rule of Three + Unexpected Twist = Speech Gold

As weve learned in the earlier articles, theres something magical about words, phrases, or sentences that come in sets of three. Three-element sets are found in many cultural areas, including religion. In Trust Me: Four Steps to Authenticity and Charisma, author Nick Morgan searches for an explanation: Why do we respond so powerfully to them? Its a mystery something psychological. Some say it has to do with religious symbolism, since there are groups of three in most major religions, but that may be putting the cart before the horse: the religions may have settled on groups of threes for the same psychological reasons that everyone else finds them powerful. Whatever the reason, we find something complete and satisfying in a group of three, like a three-legged stool that can stand firmly on uneven ground [...]

We find something complete and satisfying in a group of three, like a three-legged stool that can stand firmly on uneven ground -- Nick Morgan

Triads are a classical speechwriting technique, but you can squeeze evenmore power out of them by carefully choosing your order and adding a twist to the third element. In Lend Me Your Ears: All you Need to Know about Making Speeches and Presentations, Professor Max Atkinson suggests one way to add a twist: If your third point is the most important of the three, making it longer is a simple way of implicitly highlighting its greater significance compared with the first two. The third element in a list of three is often followed by a pause when speaking, so it will linger longest in your audiences memory. This creates a natural emphasis on this element, even if the three elements are perfectly parallel. You can take advantage of this natural emphasis by deviating from true parallelism. You could make the third element longer, or shorter, or give it a twist in meaning. All of these will cause your audience to think deeper. In Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer, Roy Peter Clark advises writers to establish a pattern, then give it a twist. He notes that three parallel elements create a rhythm of boom boom boom, but adding a twist to the third element creates the more memorable boom boom bang. Consider the bang created in these examples where the third element deviates from the pattern in length and/or meaning:

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness [U.S. Declaration of Independence] Truth, Justice, and the American Way [Superman] Sex, Lies, and Videotape [movie title] we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America [Barack Obamas Inauguration Speech]

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.

[1] It means to try to tell your kids everything you thought youd have the next 10 years to tell them in just a few months. [2] It means to make sure everything is buttoned up so that it will be as easy as possible for your family. [3] It means to say your goodbyes. [Steve Jobs, Stanford Commencement]

Humor and the Rule of Three

Adding a twist to the third element is also the key to creating humor in your speeches. Consider one popular example that is attributed to both Benjamin Disraeli and Mark Twain: There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics. Why does this work? Lets break it down. The first two elements (lies and damned lies) set a pattern in the mind of the audience. They expect a third element such as white lies, torturous lies, or even deadly lies. Humor results from the mismatch between expectation and reality.

I like this technique because it is like a magician who is able to distract us with one hand while deftly completing the trick with the other. In speeches, the pattern distracts, and thus magnifies the surprise.

Humor results from the mismatch between expectation and reality.

Thus, the recipe for a humorous triad in your next speech is simple.

Set a pattern with the first two elements to create audience expectations. These elements could be words, phrases, or sentences.

Break the pattern with the third element. Maximize your audience response by making the third element as absurd as you can while ensuring there is still a connection. In my Face the Wind speech (the focus of a 10-article series on Speech Preparation), I opened with a humorous triad. Eighteen months ago, my wife and I traded our condo keys for house keys. [1] Our floor space doubled. [2] Our mortgage tripled. [3] Our income didnt change. This triad works because the pattern begins with doubled and tripled. The audience expected quadrupled or some other multiplier in the third element. To perfect the rule of three humor technique, study stand-up comedians. Watch for it the next time you are watching the monologue on the late-night talk shows. The first sentence introduces a new topic. The second sentence establishes the pattern. The third sentence breaks the pattern with a punch line. Some time ago, I delivered a humorous (and rhyming) speech about the (fictitious) origins of Toastmasters. In the couplet below, I suggested (withtongue firmly in cheek) possible motivations for young men to improve their speaking skills: Strong speaking will earn you money, diamonds and pearls, Dignity, respect, and most importantly girls! The couplet above includes two different triads:

1. The first triad money, diamonds and pearls includes three common material benefits. It is not very memorable because all three elements form a consistent pattern. 2. The second triad, on the other hand, begins with two desirable character traits dignity and respect and concludes with an unexpected twist. This line provokes laughter from audience members. They expect the pattern to continue with another noble quality (e.g. wisdom, charisma, confidence); while the third element may be human, its not exactly noble. Remember, the last element of your triad is the key which will determine whether you are humorous, memorable, or forgettable.

Be More Memorable by Repeating Your Speech Words (Anaphora)

by Andrew Dlugan Jul 30th, 2012

What if your speeches were more quotable? What if your speeches were more powerful?

What if your speeches were more memorable? Anaphora can do this for you. In this article, we examine how strategic use of repetition can elevate your speechwriting.

Rhetorical Devices Article Series

Speech Quotations Rhetorical Questions Triads (the Rule of Three) Anaphora Chiasmus

What is Anaphora? A Definition

Anaphora is the Greek term used to describe the repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences. Anaphora, like many other rhetorical techniques, is commonly used in literature as well as in speeches. From literature, consider the opening words from Charles Dickens Tale of Two Cities: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope,

it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way Dickens use of anaphora (combined with skillful use of contrast) helps make this passage one of the most famous openings in all of literature. He uses anaphora three times:

10 clauses beginning with it was the 2 clauses beginning with we had 2 clauses beginning with we were all going direct

Anaphora in I Have a Dream and We Shall Fight

In August, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. gave us one of the richest speech examples for anaphora. This includes I have a dream and many other repetition-laden passages, including: Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of Gods children. In all, Kings speech contains eight examples of anaphora. For more examples, see the Six Minutes Speech Analysis of I Have a Dream. Another famous anaphora passage was delivered in the midst of World War II by Winston Churchill in the House of Commons, June 4, 1940: We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.

Other Anaphora Examples

While anaphora was used by King and Churchill in highly emotional passages, it doesnt always need to be used in this way. In the three examples below, anaphora is used more for its emphatic and unifying characteristics. As well, note that the second and third examples involve the repetition at the beginning of phrases (as opposed to the beginning of sentences): Senator Margaret Chase, addressing Congress to speak against McCarthyism, June 1, 1950:

I speak as briefly as possible because too much harm has already been done with irresponsible words of bitterness and selfish political opportunism. I speak as simply as possible because the issue is too great to be obscured by eloquence. I speak simply and briefly in the hope that my words will be taken to heart. I speak as a Republican, I speak as a woman. I speak as a United States Senator. I speak as an American. Ronald Reagan, address following Challenger disaster, January 28, 1986: Well continue our quest in space. There will be more shuttle flights and more shuttle crews and, yes, more volunteers, morecivilians, more teachers in space. Nothing ends here; our hopes and our journeys continue. Justin Trudeau, eulogy for his father, former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau, 2000: My fathers fundamental belief never came from a textbook. It stemmed from his deep love for and faith in all Canadians and over the past few days, with every card, every rose, every tear, every wave and every pirouette, you returned his love.

A Guide for Using Anaphora in Your Speeches

The examples above highlight how anaphora helps create more emotional, more powerful, more quotable, and more memorable passages. But lets be honest. We are rarely called to address a national or global audience on hi storic occasions. So, in a normal speech, can you benefit by using anaphora too? Yes, absolutely! You can use anaphora in the classroom, the boardroom, or the ballroom. Keep these guidelines in mind when stitching anaphora into your speeches.

Use anaphora strategically to highlight a passage which is central to your core message.

Guideline 1: Dont overdo it.

Contrary to the example from I have a dream, it may be best to use anaphora sparingly within a speech. If you use it over and over again in every paragraph, its impact may be reduced. In most speeches, once or twice is probably enough. Instead, use anaphora strategically to highlight a passage which is central to your core message. Theres no rule that says where this should be, but opening or closing a speech with anaphora is common.

Guideline 2: Choose simple, yet important words to repeat.

In nearly every example in this article, the speaker chose to repeat common, one-syllable words. Simple language is always a good choice, but this is especially so for repeated words. But simple doesnt mean the words are negligible. Consider:

King: Now is the time and I have a dream Churchill: We shall fight Pope John Paul II: I hope that (example below) In each case, the repeated words echo key themes of the speech. King was sharing his dream and believed that the time had come for action. Churchill served notice that Britain was ready to fight. Pope John Paul II expressed hope for the future.

Guideline #3: Emphasize your delivery.

When speech examples are written out (as in this article), the anaphora is obvious. In a spoken speech, however, your audience doesnt have this luxury. To achieve maximum effect, be sure to emphasize the repetitive words in your delivery. Enunciate clearly. Pause appropriately. Add vocal power if it makes sense to do so.

Guideline #4: Consider combining anaphora with other rhetorical devices.

To craft a really memorable passage, try weaving anaphora with another rhetorical device, such as:

the rule of three epistrophe climax Rule of Three When you combine anaphora with the rule of three, the result is strong unity between the three statements. For example, consider these three contemporary speech examples: Steve Jobs, Stanford Commencement Speech, June 12, 2005: My doctor advised me to go home and get my affairs in order, which is doctors code for prepare to die. It means to try to tell your kids everything you thought youd have the next 10 years to tell them in just a few months. It means to make sure everything is buttoned up so that it will be as easy as possible for your family. It means to say your goodbyes. Barack Obama, Inaugural Address, January 20, 2009: For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and travelled across oceans in search of a new life. For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth. For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn. J.A. Gamache, Being a Mr. G, 2007: A sandal of hope when you reach out. A sandal of joy when you listen to your heart. A sandal of courage when you dare to care. Epistrophe The mirror of anaphora, epistrophe is repetition at the end of consecutive clauses or sentences. With anaphora and epistrophe combined, you get sentences which begin and end with the same words. This focuses the attention on the connecting words in the middle, and magnifies the similarities or differences. For example: Lyndon B. Johnson, March 15, 1965: There is no Negro problem. There is no Southern problem. There is no Northern problem. There is only an American problem. Climax When successive sentences increase in scope, this is known as climax. Note the amplification in the passage below from Pope John Paul II as he transitions from individual (1 and 2) to country (3 and 4) to global community (5).

Pope John Paul II, Address to the United Nations General Assembly, October 2, 1979:

At the close of this address, I wish to express once more before all the high representatives of the States who are present a word of esteem and deep love for all the peoples, all the nations of the earth, for all human communities. Each one has its own history and culture. I hope that they will live and grow in the freedom and truth of their own history for that is the measure of the common good of each one of them. I hope that each person will live and grow strong with the moral force of the community that forms its members as citizens. I hope that the State authorities, while respecting the just rights of each citizen, will enjoy the confidence of all for the common good. I hope that all the nations, even the smallest, even those that do not yet enjoy full sovereignty, and those that have been forcibly robbed of it, will meet in full equality with the others in the United Nations Organization. I hope that the United Nations will ever remain the supreme forum of peace and justice, the authentic seat of freedom of peoples and individuals in their longing for a better future.

Your Turn: Try it Out!

You can add power and make your speeches more memorable. Craft one or two passages using anaphora, and your speechwriting will improve. Try it out, and share your passage in the article comments.