The Syntax of Sports, Class 3: The Rule of Three

It’s not an accident that hall of fame coaches, Pulitzer Prize-winning writers, and the marketing teams at the most innovative companies in the world often rely on a certain three-part structure when trying to communicate their ideas. This third volume of The Syntax of Sports series explores the mechanics of that structure and shows how it can add a compelling mix of clarity and sophistication to your writing.

Like in the previous volumes, the materials come from a popular course at the University of Michigan. Here are comments from students who have taken it:

“The quality of this course was fantastic!”

“Professor Barry really knows how to keep students engaged.”

“Professor Barry is very passionate about teaching, and his enthusiasm made me want to write and learn.”

“This course not only helps you become a better writer but also sheds light on how you might become a better person.”

An All-American soccer player in college who holds both a PhD in English and a JD, Professor Patrick Barry joined the University of Michigan Law School after clerking for two federal judges and working in legal clinics devoted to combatting human trafficking and reforming the foster care system. He is the author of several books on advocacy—including GoodwithWords:WritingandEditingand NotesonNuance—and regularly puts on workshops for law firms, state governments, and non- profit organizations. He also teaches at the University of Chicago Law School and has developed a series of online courses for the educational platform Coursera.