A proof that $A_n$ is simple (n>4) begins as follows:
Suppose $H$ is a nontrivial normal subgroup of $A_n$. We first prove that $H$ must contain a $3$-cycle. Let $\sigma \neq e$ a permutation that moves the leat number of integers in $n$, Being an even permutation $\sigma$ cannot be a cycle of even length. Hence, $\sigma$ must be a $3$-cycle or have a decomposition of the form $(a b c \cdots)\cdots$ or $(a b)(c d)\cdots$ , where $a,b,c,d$ are distinct. [CUT]
Why $\sigma$ cannot be, for example, $(abc)(def)$ ?