talking points

Meanings

1. 1nounusually plural

   Main ideas or facts prepared in advance for a speaker to cover in a talk, interview or meeting.

   Grammar: Usually plural: the talking points were handed out; a single point is a talking point.

   Patterns

   • talking points on something
   • talking points for something

   The press office sent out talking points before the interview.

   I wrote three talking points to cover in the team meeting.

   The speaker stuck closely to her prepared talking points.

2. 2nouncountable

   Subjects that people are likely to discuss, often because they are interesting, surprising or controversial.

   Grammar: Countable, singular or plural: the film became a talking point; the results provided several talking points.

   Patterns

   • a talking point for someone

   The goalkeeper's mistake became the main talking point of the weekend.

   The new policy gave critics several talking points.

   Her unusual outfit was a talking point at the party.

Word forms

Common combinations

key talking points

The key talking points were budget, hiring and deadlines.

stick to talking points

The candidate stuck to her talking points all evening.

prepare talking points

Prepare talking points before the call so you stay on topic.

main talking point

Ticket prices were the main talking point after the concert.

political talking points

The article accused him of repeating political talking points.

Synonyms and how they differ

key points

Key points is neutral for important ideas, while talking points suggests ideas planned to be said aloud.

agenda items

Agenda items are formal topics scheduled for a meeting, whereas talking points are what a speaker intends to say.

topics

Topics is a general word for subjects, but talking points implies selected arguments or likely discussion.

Word family

talk verb

to speak with someone

talking noun

the act of speaking

point noun

an idea or fact put forward in discussion

Commonly confused: talking points or bullet points?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “talking points”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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