<?php
// Example argument that defines three posts per page.
$args = array( 'posts_per_page' => 3 );

// Variable to call WP_Query.
$the_query = new WP_Query( $args );

if ( $the_query->have_posts() ) :
    // Start the Loop
    while ( $the_query->have_posts() ) : $the_query->the_post();
        the_title();
        the_excerpt();
    // End the Loop
    endwhile;
else:
    // If no posts match this query, output this text.
    _e( 'Sorry, no posts matched your criteria.', 'textdomain' );
endif;
wp_reset_postdata();

?>