Supporting details

Definition

Supporting details are specific pieces of information, examples, or evidence that enhance, clarify, or illustrate the main idea or topic sentence in writing. They provide depth and substance, helping to build a coherent argument and making the writing more persuasive and engaging.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Supporting details can include facts, statistics, anecdotes, and expert opinions that help clarify or reinforce the main idea.
2. Well-chosen supporting details make the writing more persuasive and help readers understand the writer's perspective more clearly.
3. Supporting details should be relevant and directly related to the main idea to maintain focus and coherence throughout the writing.
4. A variety of supporting details can be used to appeal to different audiences and enhance engagement by providing multiple perspectives.
5. Effective use of supporting details helps to create a logical flow in writing, allowing readers to follow the argument or narrative with ease.

Review Questions

• How do supporting details enhance the clarity and effectiveness of a main idea in writing?
  • Supporting details enhance clarity by providing specific information that elaborates on the main idea, making it easier for readers to grasp and relate to the writer's message. They help build a stronger argument by adding depth through examples, facts, or anecdotes that illustrate the central point. By backing up claims with relevant evidence, supporting details also lend credibility to the writing, leading to a more convincing presentation.
• What role do transitions play in connecting supporting details to the main idea in a cohesive manner?
  • Transitions serve as bridges between supporting details and the main idea, ensuring that the flow of ideas is smooth and logical. They guide readers through the progression of thought by signaling how each supporting detail relates to the main idea. Effective transitions can help maintain coherence by clearly indicating when one point concludes and another begins, allowing readers to follow along without confusion.
• Evaluate how effective paragraph development relies on supporting details and their relationship to topic sentences.
  • Effective paragraph development hinges on the relationship between topic sentences and supporting details because the topic sentence sets the stage for what will be discussed. Supporting details provide the necessary evidence or examples that elaborate on this central idea, creating a well-rounded paragraph. When supporting details are thoughtfully selected and organized in relation to the topic sentence, they enhance overall coherence and strengthen the argument being presented, ultimately improving the reader's understanding.

Related terms

examples: Specific instances or cases that illustrate a broader point or concept, serving as evidence to support the main idea.

evidence:

Facts, statistics, quotations, or other forms of data that provide support for claims made in writing, adding credibility to the argument.

main idea:

The central point or primary message that the writer wants to communicate, which is often conveyed through the topic sentence.