Talking Points

Purpose:

Facilitating Dialogue

Additional Purpose(s):

Supporting Thinking

Overview:

A series of statements provide “talking points” within a structured and timed routine for sharing thinking and considering different perspectives.

Procedure:

  1. Each talking point receives three rounds of attention. 
    • Round 1: Group chooses a talking point. Go around the group and have each member state if they agree, disagree or are unsure about the talking point statement and why. (Remember, no cross talk.) 
    • Round 2: Go around the group a second time and have each member state if they agree, disagree or are unsure. It is perfectly fine to keep one’s original opinion or to change one’s mind, but the individual must state why. (Again, no cross talking.) 
    • Round 3: Go around the group a third time and have each member state if they agree, disagree or are unsure. Have a recorder write the members’ decisions on a record sheet and move to the next question. (Even after the third round, there is no comment.) 
    • Begin the next talking point. 
  2. Groups should get through as many talking points as possible in whatever order they choose. It does not matter how many a group gets through in the time given.
  3. There is absolutely no cross talk – group members only speak during their turn. 
  4. Groups of three are best, but larger groups are possible. 

Materials:

A list of talking points – a variety of statements about a topic that can be accurate, contentious, or incorrect. These statements provide an invitation to think more deeply about a topic of focus.

Tips:

Model the process using volunteers to support learners in understanding the process.

Source:

Adapted from: http://cheesemonkeysf.blogspot.com/2014/07/tmc14-gwwg-talking-points-activity.html