Which of the following is true regarding talking points?
A. Talking points should be in-depth communications designed to give all of the relevant information.
B. Talking points are for external use, so need to be vetted by a jurisdiction’s legal counsel before use.
C. Talking points will eventually be distributed to the public, so should be written at an appropriate reading level.
D. Talking points should be short, easy to understand statements that reinforce the key message.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is:
D. Talking points should be short, easy to understand statements that reinforce the key message.
Explanation:
Talking points are concise, clear, and focused statements designed to help communicators consistently convey key messages during interviews, meetings, presentations, or discussions. They serve as a quick reference or guide, ensuring that important information is communicated clearly and effectively without overloading the audience or causing confusion.
Why D is correct:
- Conciseness and clarity: Talking points are meant to be brief and straightforward, allowing the speaker to quickly get across the essential ideas. They distill complex information into digestible, memorable phrases.
- Reinforce the key message: Talking points emphasize the core themes or facts that the communicator wants to highlight. This ensures the audience understands and remembers the most important information.
- Easy to understand: They avoid jargon or technical language, making them accessible to a broad audience, including people without specialized knowledge of the subject.
Why the other options are incorrect:
- A. Talking points should be in-depth communications designed to give all of the relevant information.
This is inaccurate because talking points are not meant to be exhaustive or detailed explanations. They are tools for summarizing essential points, not providing full, in-depth content. Detailed information is better suited for reports, briefing papers, or presentations. - B. Talking points are for external use, so need to be vetted by a jurisdiction’s legal counsel before use.
While some talking points intended for public or official communication may require legal or organizational review, this is not universally true for all talking points. Some talking points are used internally or informally and may not always need legal vetting. Also, the statement generalizes their use, which varies by context. - C. Talking points will eventually be distributed to the public, so should be written at an appropriate reading level.
This statement may be true in certain contexts, but it’s not universally true that all talking points will be distributed publicly. Talking points are often used by spokespeople or staff as internal guides. When they are shared publicly, readability is important, but this is more about the target audience and purpose rather than a defining characteristic of talking points.
Summary:
Talking points function as a tool to keep communication focused, consistent, and simple. They are intentionally concise and designed to help the speaker stay on message, especially in dynamic communication settings. The best practice is to craft them as short, clear, and easy-to-understand statements that reinforce the key message without overwhelming the audience or the communicator.