Talking points are used to prepare for an interview.You can feel more comfortable talking in front of others or answering questions from the media by crafting your own talking points.
Step 1: Do you have a mission or message?
The purpose of your speech or interview is something you should consider.Is your main goal to convince a committee to support your policy or a change to an existing policy?Do you want the students to know about your experiences in a foreign country?Are you going to present a problem at your child's school to the board?Are you giving an interview to promote a product or a local issue?The main purpose of the talk will help you create the rest of your talking points.Think about emotion, what you want your audience to feel, contrast or how your message is different than the message of others, connection, or why you should be trusted to say something.The main message of your talk is to argue for the creation of after school programs at your child's school.The mission of your speech is to convince the school board to provide after school programming at my child's school.
Step 2: You should outline two to three talking points.
You can use two to three main talking points to support your main message once you have identified it.You will use the main points to develop supporting arguments and examples to support your main message.If you want to prove your main message, focus on talking points that will help.It is important that your talking points are clear, short and to the point.Think of your talking points as an elevator pitch.If the main message of your talk is to argue for after school programs, they may be structured as follows: Benefits my child's education, will supply her with educational activities in a controlled, monitored environment.Normandy students who need educational guidance and activity after school hours benefit.The other parents of students at Normandy High School benefit from providing education and guidance for their children.
Step 3: Provide examples to support your point of view.
The strongest examples should be used, because they are personal and impactful.Your examples may be personal stories of success that show how useful and effective the main points of your talk will be for your audience.It's tempting to make a long list of examples, but try to focus on one to two examples that best illustrate your main point.If you are arguing for a particular position or stance on an issue, most speeches are the most effective because they are short and to the point.For example, if you are arguing for after school programs at your child's school, you may tell a short story about how the child struggles with her math assignments and is looking for tutoring that could be provided through the program.Data from a national study on after school programs can be used to show how well students do in their academics as a result of these programs.Talking point: Benefits your child's education, gives her support in a controlled, monitored environment.The first example is about her math assignments.There is a national study on after school programs.
Step 4: It is important to emphasize a win-win solution.
If you want your audience to care about your talk, give them solutions or ways to act on your suggestions.Your talk should give your audience several ways to solve the main message or problem and not just identify it.It's your job to present a solution that feels like a win for you, as the speaker, and for the audience.If you want to make a case for more after school programs at your child's school, you can give the school one of two options: a trial program one to two times a week, or monitoring for a period of time.This can be used to see how effective the program is at the school.
Step 5: It's time to end with a call to action.
Information on what the audience can do to support your mission can be provided.This could include giving a donation, signing a petition, buying a product or volunteering time for a cause.Your audience can respond to your talk in a proactive and tangible way if you end it with a call to action.You can end your talk by asking your audience to sign a petition to support after school programs.You can ask the school to consider your proposal and respond to you by a set date.You will be able to hold your audience accountable for any promises made as a result of your talk.
Step 6: If applicable, give contact information.
Let your audience know how they can get in touch with you.This could be a phone number, email address, or website.If you use social media to connect with customers, you may also provide your contacts.If you supply your contact information, it will show you are committed to your main message and willing to speak directly to individuals in the audience.Audience members can contact you directly with any questions or concerns they may have as a result of your talk.
Step 7: Use a bulleted list.
Your main message or mission should be stated at the top of the list and your main talking points placed below, with the strongest point listed first.Supporting arguments should be included in your main talking points.The mission of my speech is to convince the school board to provide after school programming at my child's school.Talking point 1 benefits my child's education and provides her with educational activities in a monitored environment.My daughter struggles with her math assignments and has a hard time socializing with other students.As a busy working mother, I don't have the time to support her academically as she comes home from school defeated and unmotivated.The chance to interact with other students in a more open, recreational environment could be provided by an after school program.Talking point two benefits other students at Normandy who need educational guidance and activity after school hours.Statistics show that students who attend after school programming score higher on standardized testing.The chance to interact in a monitored environment that is positive and safe can be provided by an after school program.The other parents of students at Normandy High School benefit from providing education and guidance for their children.I have spoken with other parents of Normandy students who are working late hours to provide for their families and are struggling to find daycare and keep their children safe.Like me, they want to make sure their child stays on track academically and socially.
Step 8: The talking points should be structured like a Q&A.
In the style of a Q&A, you can format your talking points.If your talking points are going to be used in an interview, this format can be useful.For example, if you are preparing for an interview about the latest product made by your company, you may lay out your talking points in a series of questions and answers.The purpose of our interview is to discuss the release of the newest hoverboard, Hoverboard 5.0, which I am the owner of.Consumers should buy your product.The cheapest hover board on the market is priced for the average consumer.It is ten times faster than other models currently on the market.It has updated safety features to make your ride safe.How useful or enjoyable is your product?One of our designers gave his son a hoverboard one day to see if he liked it.His son showed off his new toy to his friends.Each friend tried the device in different places, from the driveway to the park and even the football field.At the end of the day, the designer asked his son what he thought about the invention.His son said it was the most fun he had ever had with his friends.
Step 9: In front of a colleague or friend, practice presenting the talking points.
Pretend a colleague or friend is your intended audience and present your talking points to them.Time yourself so you don't go over the allotted time constraint for your talk and use confident body language.Ask your audience for feedback on your talking points.Ask them if they thought your main message was clear and if your talking points were supported by examples or arguments.Your talking points should end on a high note and you should make sure your call to action is clear.
Step 10: Don't give your talking points to your intended audience.
Practice presenting your talking points again after feedback from your test audience.You could use a mirror to look at how you are speaking and carrying your body.Make sure you use good posture, use your hands well, and use confident, open body language.You should run through your talking points several times so you are prepared for your presentation.