Talking points or briefing notes clearly state the position of the Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition or its partner organizations on a specific issue around reproductive health supplies. The message of this document is: "This is what we think about this issue, and this is what we recommend."
Talking points/briefing notes are written for you or by someone working with you to organize ideas and information to effectively inform your target audience. They are meant to help you or someone who is speaking publicly or writing a letter in support of your advocacy objective.
Talking points are facts and statements that build your argument or make the case for your position. Often talking points provide additional advice to the speaker; for example, how to answer questions or what key points to emphasize. You may want to draft talking points for each Coalition issue and then tailor them for specific target audiences.
Talking points/briefing notes begin with an introduction of the issue or problem that needs to be addressed and an explanation of why the Coalition believes it is important. It gives your members or partners the rationale for supporting the Coalition position.
The main points are then listed in bulleted form, building the argument in a logical sequence of stated facts leading to the Coalition position. The bulleted list may be followed by a list of potential questions or counter arguments that the target audience could raise and some prepared answers for each.
The talking points or briefing notes should conclude with a few key points to highlight and/or specific actions/requests for the target audience.
* This chapter is adapted from International HIV/AIDS Alliance. 2002. Advocacy in Action-A Toolkit to Support NGOs and CBOs Responding to HIV/AIDS. Brighton, UK: International HIV/AIDS Alliance.
