Style In Political Speeches: "triples"

"Tricolon" is the placement of three items in a list. Tricolon has been popular in Western culture from the time of the Greeks. Using tricolon is so common with us that we use it automatically, and since it satisfies both the speakers and the listeners, it is ubiquitous in public speaking. Here are examples of tricolon in speeches delivered at the national conventions of the Republicans and Democrats.

John McCain: We need to change the way government does almost everything: from the way we protect our security to the way we compete in the world economy; from the way we respond to disasters to the way we fuel our transportation network; from the way we train our workers to the way we educate our children.

John McCain: All these functions of government were designed before the rise of the global economy, the information technology revolution, and the end of the Cold War.

John McCain: I've been [America's] servant first, last, and always.

Barack Obama: They work hard and they give back and they keep going without complaint.

Barack Obama: he's said "no" to higher fuel-efficiency standards for cars, "no" to investments in renewable energy, "no" to renewable fuels.

Barack Obama: You don't defeat a terrorist network that operates in 80 countries by occupying Iraq. You don't protect Israel and deter Iran just by talking tough in Washington. You can't truly stand up for Georgia when you've strained our oldest alliances.

There seems a required formula for ending a political speech. McCain: "Thank you, and God bless you, and God bless America." Obama: "Thank you, God Bless you, and God Bless the United States of America." Hillary Clinton: "Thank you. God bless you, and Godspeed."

Tricolon is so automatic that there is no great surprise and finding it in these speeches. When you are writing your own speeches, be aware that tricolon gives a great deal of satisfaction to the listeners. Put it into your speeches. Certainly don't avoid it.

By: Thomas Christopher

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THOMAS CHRISTOPHER maintains a web page, on how to write witty aphorisms , showing some of the most important techniques for creating witty humor.