WordPress: get and show latest 3 posts using WP_Query

front-page.php

$wp_query = new WP_Query( 'posts_per_page=3' );
$first = ' first';

if ( $wp_query->have_posts() ) : 
    while ( $wp_query->have_posts() ) : 
        $wp_query->the_post();

        printf( "<article class=\"one-third{$first}\">%s</article>", get_the_title() );

        if ($first != '') $first = '';
    endwhile; //* end of one post
endif; //* end loop

wp_reset_query();