Talking Point

A Talking Point is a brief statement that is intended to communicate a belief persuasively.

• Context:
  • It can be a Explicit Question/Answer-based Talking Point to being an Implicity Question/Answer-based Talking Point.
  • ...
• Example(s)
  • Benefits my child’s education and gives her support in a controlled, monitored environment.
    Example 1: Story about her math assignments.
    Example 2: National study on after school programs and academics.
    • Supporting argument: My daughter struggles with her math assignments and has a difficult time socializing with other students. She comes home from school defeated and unmotivated, and as a busy working mother, I do not have the means or the time to support her academically. An after school program could provide math tutoring and the opportunity to interact with other students in a more open, recreational environment.
  • Benefits other students at Normandy who need educational guidance and activity after school hours are over.
    • Supporting argument: Statistics show that students who attend after school programming score higher on standardized testing and develop stronger social skills with their peers. An after school program can help provide students with the chance to interact in a controlled and monitored environment that is positive and safe.
  • Talking Point: Benefits the other parents of students at Normandy High School by providing education and guidance for their children.
    • Supporting argument: I have spoken with other parents of Normandy students who are working late hours to provide for their families and who are struggling to find childcare and keep their children in a safe, supervised environment. Like me, they are looking for a way to ensure their child stays on track academically and socially.
  • Question 1: Who are you and why are we talking today?
    Answer: I am the owner of Hover, Inc. and the purpose of our interview is to discuss the release of the newest hoverboard, Hoverboard 5.0.
  • Question 2: Why should consumers buy your product?
    Answer: First, it is the most affordable hover board on the market and is priced for the average consumer. Second, it is incredibly lightweight and ten times faster than other models currently on the market. Third, it has updated safety features to ensure your ride is smooth and safe.
  • Question 3: Can you provide an example that shows how useful or enjoyable your product is for consumers?
    Answer: One of our designers has a young son and he gave his son the hoverboard one day to see what he thought of it. His son used the hoverboard in their driveway and showed it off to his friends.
  • ...
  • a Internal Stakeholder Talking Point (for a internal stakeholder) to being an External Stakeholder Talking Point (external stakeholder).
  • ...
  • …
• Counter-Example(s):
  • a Frequently Asked Question (in a FAQ).
  • a Policy Document.
• See: Supporting Argument, Public Relations, Politics, Marketing, Think Tank, Proof by Assertion, Factsheet.

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References

2022

• (Wikipedia, 2022) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/talking_point Retrieved:2022-12-5.
  • A talking point, often used in the plural, is a pre-established message or formula used in the field of political communication, sales and commercial or advertising communication. The message is coordinated a priori to remain more or less invariable regardless of which stakeholder brings the message in the media. Such statements can either be free standing or created as retorts to the opposition's talking points and are frequently used in public relations, particularly in areas heavy in debate such as politics and marketing.

2016

• (Wikipedia, 2016) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/talking_point Retrieved:2016-7-30.
  • A talking point in debate or discourse is a succinct statement designed to support persuasively one side taken on an issue. ...

2015

• http://www.wikihow.com/Write-Talking-Points
  • QUOTE:
    1. Identify your mission or message. Consider why you are speaking to your audience and identify the purpose of your speech or interview. ...
    2. Outline two to three talking points. Once you have identified your main message, ... Your talking points should be clear, short, and to the point. Think of your talking points as your elevator pitch, made up of keywords or short sentences. ...
    3. Provide specific examples to support your talking points. You should use examples that are personal and impactful, with the strongest examples listed first. ...
    4. Emphasize a win-win solution. Let your audience know why they should care about your talk by providing possible solutions or ways to enact your suggestions. Your talk should not only identify a main message or problem; it should also give your audience several ways to solve or address the main message or problem. ...
    5. End with a call to action. Provide information on what the audience can do to support your mission. This could be in the form of giving a donation, signing a petition, buying a product or volunteering time for a cause. ...
    6. Provide contact information, if applicable. Let your audience know how they can get in touch with you or your organization. ...
    7. Use a bulleted list. Organize your talking points in a bulleted list, with your main message or mission stated at the top of the list and your main talking points placed below, with the strongest point listed first. ...
    8. Structure the talking points like a Q&A. Another way you can format your talking points is in the style of a Q&A. This format can be useful if your talking points are going to be used in an interview setting. ...

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