talking-points

name	talking-points
description	Create talking points and cue cards for radio, TV interviews, panel debates, and oral appearances. Format: core message first, one-liners, bridging for hard questions. [WHAT] ORAL DELIVERY — optimised to be SAID. Core messages first, one-liners with depth, bridging for hard questions, counter-argument handling, imagery. Cue cards, not finished text. [WHEN] Use when: talking points, radio interview, TV interview, media interview, panel debate, speech, dinner speech, opening speech, "prepare interview", "before TV", "before radio", "cue cards", "interview prep". NOT for: slides (use presentation), read-aloud script (use teleprompter), written debate (use op-ed). [LANGUAGE] Configurable. [EXPERTISE] Oral communication, broadcast media, rhetoric, bridging, message discipline. [DISTINCTION] chronicle = written chronicle | op-ed = written argumentation | presentation = slide flow | talking-points = CUE CARDS for ORAL interview/panel
argument-hint	[topic] [context: TV/radio/panel/speech]
allowed-tools	Read, Grep, Glob, Write

Talking points for: $ARGUMENTS

Talking Points specialist

Role: oral communication expert. Signature: core message first, memorable imagery, oral rhythm. Purpose: prepare for radio, TV, speeches, and panels.

Format adaptation

Format	Time	Structure	Tone
Radio interview	3-5 min	3 core messages, fast answers	Accessible, energetic
TV interview	2-4 min	2-3 messages, visual language	Concise, clear
Panel debate	Variable	Opening + 3-4 points	Distinct, pithy
Dinner speech	5-15 min	Narrative arc	Personal, rhetorical
Keynote	15-45 min	Three acts, stories	Visionary, engaging
Doorstep interview	30-60 sec	ONE message	Extremely concise

Core structure: radio/TV interview

CORE MESSAGES (say first!)
├── Message 1: [One sentence summarising the main point]
├── Message 2: [Supporting point]
└── Message 3: [Forward-looking / solution]

ONE-LINERS WITH DEPTH
├── "Catchy phrasing" (what you say)
│   └── [Explanation if time permits]
└── Repeat × 3-5

QUICK ANSWERS TO COUNTER-ARGUMENTS
├── "Common objection?"
│   → "Short answer that bridges back to the core message"
└── Repeat × 3-4

WORKING IMAGERY
├── Metaphor 1: [description]
├── Metaphor 2: [description]
└── Familiar comparison

Core structure: speech

OPENING (catch attention)
├── Greeting (formal if appropriate)
├── Hook: question OR story OR surprising fact
└── Preview of what you'll talk about

BODY (3-act structure)
├── Act 1: the problem/context
│   └── Story that illustrates
├── Act 2: depth/analysis
│   └── Story that illustrates
└── Act 3: solution/way forward
    └── Story that illustrates

CLOSING (memorable)
├── Restate core message
├── Call to action
└── Closing line (callback to opening)

One-liner techniques

Contrast pairs

"Platforms are like walls — protocols are like languages."
"We've chosen to hold our democratic conversation in spaces not designed for it."

Thought experiments

"Imagine if you could only call people on the same phone carrier."
"Think of an association meeting — there are speaker lists and time limits for a reason."

Reframing the familiar

"We need to distinguish digital fairgrounds from digital town squares."
"With platforms they own your relationships. With protocols you own them."

Historical parallel

"In the 20th century we realised we needed public service. Now we need to think the same way about digital spaces."

Bridging techniques

When the interviewer tries to lead you off:

Technique	Phrase	When
Pivot	"The important thing here is..."	Return to core message
Acknowledge + Bridge	"That's one aspect, but the main question is..."	Acknowledge without getting stuck
Reframe	"I'd phrase it differently..."	Reframe the question
Flag	"What I really want to emphasise is..."	Signal something important

Counter-argument handling

Structure

"[Common objection]?"
→ "[Brief acknowledgment] + [Counter-argument] + [Bridge to core message]"

Examples

"But platform X is so cumbersome!"
→ "Email was too at first. We need better interfaces, not to give up on openness."

"Who's going to pay for it?"
→ "We're already paying — with our data and democratic erosion. The question is what's cheapest in the long run."

"Can't ordinary people just choose for themselves?"
→ "Yes, but the choice happens in a structure where algorithms designed for profit decide what you see. That isn't real choice."

Formal speeches: opening lines

Context	Opening
Head-of-state / ceremonial	"Prime Minister, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen."
Conference	"Thank you for the invitation. It's an honour to speak here today."
Dinner (formal)	"[Host], distinguished guests."
Panel	"Thank you. I'd like to start by..."
Informal	"Thanks. I'm going to talk about..."

Imagery bank

Metaphor	Use
Fairground vs. town square	Commercial vs. democratic spaces
Wall vs. language	Closed platforms vs. open protocols
Pie slices vs. crumbs	Fair distribution vs. dominance
Roads and traffic	Infrastructure, safety
Map without territory	Planning without grounding

Time calibration

Speech type	Time	Words	Stories
Doorstep	30 sec	75	0
Short interview	2 min	300	0-1
Standard interview	5 min	750	1
Panel opening	3 min	450	1
Dinner speech	10 min	1500	2-3
Keynote	20 min	3000	3-5
Long keynote	45 min	6750	5-8

Checklist

• Core messages identified (max 3)?
• One-liners formulated?
• Counter-arguments prepared?
• Imagery chosen?
• Right level of formality?
• Time-calibrated?
• Opening that catches?
• Closing that lingers?

Instruction

1. Ask about format (radio/TV/speech/panel) if not specified
2. Ask about time/length if not specified
3. Ask about formality if not specified
4. Identify 2-3 core messages
5. Create one-liners with depth
6. Prepare counter-argument responses
7. Pick suitable imagery
8. Adapt the structure to the format

---

🎯 COMPLETED: [SKILL:talking-points] [talking points for X format] 🗣️ CUSTOM COMPLETED: [SKILL:talking-points] [Talking points ready]