supporting detail in essay writing

Supporting Details: Understanding Their Importance in Learning

When writing a piece of text, it is important to have a clear and concise main idea or topic sentence. However, in order to fully support and develop this idea, it is necessary to include supporting details. Supporting details are specific pieces of information that provide evidence and credibility to the main idea or topic sentence. They can be found in various forms, such as facts, examples, statistics, and explanations.

Understanding Supporting Details

When writing, supporting details are crucial to effectively convey your message. Supporting details are pieces of factual information that back up the main idea or topic sentence you are trying to convey. They provide clarification to the reader by explaining, describing, and illustrating the main idea within the text.

There are many different types of supporting details, and the type used will depend on the purpose and audience of your writing. Some examples of supporting details include:

• Facts and statistics
• Examples and anecdotes
• Quotations and expert opinions
• Definitions and explanations
• Descriptions and sensory details

When using supporting details, it is important to ensure that they are relevant and accurate. They should also be organized in a logical and coherent manner to help the reader understand the main idea or argument being presented.

To effectively use supporting details, it is helpful to start by identifying the main idea or topic sentence of your writing. Once you have identified the main idea, you can then brainstorm relevant supporting details that will help to clarify and expand upon it.

When incorporating supporting details into your writing, it is also important to consider the tone and style of your writing. For example, if you are writing an academic paper, you may need to use more formal language and include more research-based supporting details.

Types of Supporting Details

When writing an essay or a speech, supporting details are essential for providing credibility and depth to your arguments. There are several types of supporting details that you can use to reinforce your main points.

Factual Details

Factual details are pieces of information that are verifiable and true. These details can include historical events, scientific data, or other evidence that supports your argument. Factual details can be presented in tables, charts, or bullet points to help readers understand complex information. Using factual details can lend credibility to your argument and make it more convincing.

Anecdotal Details

Anecdotal details are personal stories or experiences that illustrate your point. These details can help readers relate to your argument on a more emotional level. Anecdotal details can be presented in a narrative format or as a quote from someone who has experienced the situation you are describing. Using anecdotal details can make your argument more relatable and engaging.

Statistical Details

Statistical details are numerical data that support your argument. These details can include percentages, averages, or other statistical measures. Statistical details can be presented in tables, graphs, or charts to help readers visualize the data. Using statistical details can make your argument more persuasive and provide evidence to support your claims.

Expert Testimony

Expert testimony is the opinion or analysis of an authority in a particular field. This can include quotes from experts, interviews with professionals, or research conducted by reputable sources. Expert testimony can lend credibility to your argument and provide readers with a deeper understanding of the topic. Using expert testimony can make your argument more authoritative and convincing.

Role of Supporting Details in Writing

Enhancing credibility.

Supporting details help to enhance the credibility of your writing. By providing evidence and examples, you can convince your readers that your ideas are valid and reliable. For example, if you are writing an essay about climate change, you can use scientific data and research to support your arguments. This will make your writing more credible and persuasive.

Creating Interest

Supporting details can also help to create interest in your writing. By providing vivid descriptions and engaging examples, you can capture the attention of your readers and keep them interested. For example, if you are writing a travel blog, you can use descriptive language and personal anecdotes to make your writing more engaging and entertaining.

Clarifying Points

Finally, supporting details can help to clarify points in your writing. By providing additional information and explanations, you can make your writing more clear and understandable. For example, if you are writing a technical manual, you can use diagrams and step-by-step instructions to clarify complex processes.

Identifying Supporting Details

Context clues.

Context clues are hints or clues that can help you understand the meaning of a word or phrase. When reading a text, pay attention to the context in which supporting details are presented. Look for words or phrases that provide clues about the purpose of the supporting details. For example, if a text is discussing the benefits of exercise, supporting details might include statistics about the health benefits of physical activity.

Signal Words

Signal words are words or phrases that indicate the relationship between ideas. When reading a text, look for signal words that indicate the presence of supporting details. Signal words that indicate the presence of supporting details include “for example,” “in addition,” “furthermore,” and “moreover.” These words signal that the author is providing additional information to support their main idea.

Logical Connections

Logical connections are the relationships between ideas presented in a text. When reading a text, look for logical connections between the main idea and supporting details. Supporting details should logically connect to the main idea and provide evidence to support it. For example, if a text is arguing that climate change is a serious threat, supporting details might include evidence of rising global temperatures and melting ice caps.

Effective Use of Supporting Details

One of the most important aspects of using supporting details effectively is ensuring that they are relevant to your main argument. This means that you should carefully consider each supporting detail and how it relates to the overall point you are trying to make. If a detail does not directly support your argument, it may be best to leave it out.

To help ensure relevance, consider creating an outline or a list of key points that you want to make in your writing. This can help you stay focused and on track, and can also make it easier to identify which supporting details are most relevant to each point.

Sufficiency

Another important factor to consider when using supporting details is sufficiency. You want to make sure that you provide enough evidence to support your argument, without overwhelming your readers with too much information. This can be a delicate balance, but one that is crucial for effective writing.

To ensure sufficiency, it can be helpful to think about the different types of supporting details you can use, such as examples, statistics , or expert opinions. By using a variety of types of evidence, you can provide a more well-rounded and convincing argument.

Finally, it is important to consider variety when using supporting details. This means that you should try to avoid using the same type of evidence over and over again, as this can become repetitive and dull for your readers. Instead, try to mix things up by using different types of evidence, or by presenting your evidence in different ways (such as through tables, graphs, or bullet points).

Challenges in Using Supporting Details

Avoiding redundancy.

One of the biggest challenges in using supporting details is avoiding redundancy. It can be easy to repeat information or provide details that are not necessary, which can make your writing feel repetitive and boring. To avoid this, make sure that each supporting detail you provide adds something new to your writing. Consider using examples, anecdotes, or statistics to provide unique and interesting details that support your main idea.

Maintaining Objectivity

Another challenge when using supporting details is maintaining objectivity. It is important to provide accurate and unbiased information to support your main idea, but it can be difficult to do so without injecting your own opinions or biases into your writing. To maintain objectivity, make sure that your supporting details are based on facts and evidence rather than personal opinions or beliefs. Use reputable sources and avoid using emotionally charged language that may sway your reader’s opinion.

Ensuring Accuracy

Finally, ensuring accuracy is another challenge when using supporting details. It is important to provide accurate and reliable information to support your main idea, but it can be difficult to verify the accuracy of the information you are using. To ensure accuracy, make sure that you are using reputable sources and double-check any statistics or data that you include in your writing. If you are unsure about the accuracy of a particular detail, consider leaving it out or finding additional sources to confirm its validity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some examples of supporting details?

Supporting details are pieces of information that help to clarify the main idea of a paragraph or essay. Some examples of supporting details include descriptions, examples, reasons, explanations, and comparisons.

What are the two types of supporting details?

There are two types of supporting details: major and minor. Major supporting details are more important and provide a stronger support for the main idea, while minor supporting details are less important and provide a weaker support.

What is the purpose of supporting details in writing?

The purpose of supporting details in writing is to provide evidence to support the main idea of a paragraph or essay. Supporting details help to clarify and explain the main idea, making it easier for the reader to understand and follow the writer’s point of view.

How do supporting details contribute to the main idea of a paragraph?

Supporting details contribute to the main idea of a paragraph by providing evidence and examples that support and clarify the main idea. They help to make the main idea more convincing and persuasive, and they also help to make the paragraph more interesting and engaging for the reader.

What are some common types of supporting details used in writing?

Some common types of supporting details used in writing include descriptions, examples, reasons, explanations, and comparisons. These types of supporting details help to clarify and explain the main idea of a paragraph or essay, making it easier for the reader to understand and follow the writer’s point of view.

How can one effectively write supporting details in a paragraph?

To effectively write supporting details in a paragraph, one should start by identifying the main idea of the paragraph. Then, one should choose supporting details that are relevant and provide evidence to support the main idea. It is important to use a variety of supporting details, such as descriptions, examples, reasons, explanations, and comparisons, to make the paragraph more interesting and engaging for the reader. Finally, one should organize the supporting details in a logical and coherent manner that makes it easy for the reader to follow the writer’s point of view.

Last Updated on August 29, 2023

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• Supporting details

Supporting details are essential components in writing, providing evidence and examples to reinforce the main idea or thesis statement in a text. These details, which can include statistics, anecdotes, or expert opinions, help clarify and make the argument more persuasive to the reader. By effectively organizing and integrating supporting details, writers enhance the clarity and impact of their communication.

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Supporting Details Definition

Supporting details are the backbone of any well-written essay or article. They provide the evidence, examples, and explanations that help clarify and reinforce the main idea or argument in a piece of writing. Without supporting details, your statements may seem vague or unconvincing, leaving the reader without enough information to understand your perspective.

Understanding Supporting Details

Understanding what supporting details are will significantly enhance your writing skills. Supporting details serve as the foundation for your main argument:

• Examples are specific instances or cases that illustrate a point.
• Facts provide concrete evidence sourced from reliable information or data.
• Descriptions give detailed explanations to help visualize an idea.

Statistics offer numerical evidence to support claims.

Supporting Details : They are elements like examples, facts, descriptions, and statistics used to reinforce and clarify the main idea or argument in a text.

Imagine you are writing an essay on the benefits of exercise. The main idea might state that exercising regularly improves mental health. Supporting details could include statistics from studies showing reduced anxiety levels in those who exercise or a personal anecdote about feeling happier after a workout.

Supporting details should always be relevant to the main idea and offer clear, logical reinforcement of your point.

While it's critical to use supporting details in your writing, it's equally important to present them effectively. Consider how they integrate with the overall structure of your text. For instance, start by introducing the main idea, followed by supporting details that are organized in a logical sequence. This could follow a chronological order, prioritize the most compelling details first, or group similar types of evidence together. Such organization aids the reader in seamlessly linking the details with your main topic.Moreover, be mindful of the quantity and quality of your supporting details. Too many details can overwhelm the reader, while too few might not adequately support your argument. Aim for a balanced approach where each detail serves a purposeful role.

What Are Supporting Details?

To write effectively, understanding supporting details is essential. They form the building blocks of any argument or explanation, providing depth and evidence to your main ideas. You'll typically find supporting details as examples, facts, or descriptions that give weight and clarity to your writing. Without them, readers may struggle to see the rationale behind your arguments.These details not only support the central theme but also make the text more engaging and convincing. They can be presented in various forms, such as bullet points or within structured sections, ensuring your message is both compelling and easy to follow.

Role of Supporting Details

Supporting details play several key roles in writing. They:

• Clarify the main idea: By providing examples and facts, supporting details help explain what you are trying to convey.
• Enhance understanding: Descriptive details ensure readers can visualize ideas and relate them to their experiences.
• Strengthen arguments: Concrete evidence or statistics make your arguments more persuasive.

Supporting Details : Elements such as examples, facts, and descriptions that reinforce and clarify the main idea or argument in writing.

Consider writing an article about climate change. The main argument might discuss the negative impact on polar ice caps. Supporting details could include scientific data on ice melting rates, visual descriptions of habitat loss, or expert testimonies from climate scientists. Each example strengthens the overall argument by providing concrete evidence.

Use transitional phrases like 'For instance' and 'In addition' to smoothly introduce supporting details in your writing.

Delving deeper into the concept of supporting details, it's important to explore how different types can be used effectively within varied contexts. For persuasive writing, statistics and quotes from experts can be incredibly convincing. Meanwhile, narrative writing often benefits from vivid descriptions and personal anecdotes. The choice of supporting detail type should align with both the purpose of your writing and your target audience.Additionally, the manner of presentation can significantly influence how these details impact your audience. For example, complex data is more digestible when presented in tables or bullet lists rather than lengthy paragraphs. This not only aids comprehension but also ensures the important points stand out.

Main Idea and Supporting Details

The main idea is the central point or primary concept of a piece of writing. It's the message or argument that the writer wants to communicate to the reader. To effectively deliver this message, supporting details are necessary.Supporting details serve to reinforce and expand on the main idea by providing evidence or elaboration. They make writing more robust and credible.

Identifying the Main Idea

Often presented in a topic sentence, the main idea can be identified by understanding the author's intent and the core message they are conveying. Effective writing uses supporting details to:

• Clarify points: Adding context and examples that explain the main idea.
• Provide evidence: Using facts and statistics to substantiate claims.
• Enhance engagement: Incorporating descriptions to captivate the reader's interest.

Main Idea: The primary message or argument that an author wants to communicate through their writing.

Suppose you are composing a paragraph about the importance of studying. The main idea may proclaim that studying increases knowledge.To support this idea, you could include statistics that show a correlation between study habits and academic performance, anecdotes from successful individuals, or descriptions of effective study techniques.

To quickly identify the main idea, look for repeated themes or keywords throughout the text.

Supporting details can be categorized into several types, each serving a unique purpose. Here is a breakdown:

Supporting Details Examples

In writing, supporting details are crucial for strengthening your argument or clarifying your message. They add weight and depth to the main idea, ensuring that readers are convinced of your viewpoints. Supporting details can take various forms such as examples, facts, and descriptions.

Techniques for Finding Supporting Details

Finding appropriate supporting details involves several strategies to ensure the information is exhaustive and directly relevant to the main idea.

• Brainstorming: Start by listing out all the potential ideas that relate to your main point. This can help in uncovering unique angles and information.
• Research: Use credible sources like books, academic journals, and reputable websites to gather factual data.
• Asking Questions: Consider 'Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?' to generate comprehensive details.
• Analyzing Examples: Look at similar works or relevant examples to find inspiration or direct evidence that supports your points.

Brainstorming : A technique where you generate a multitude of ideas to aid in expanding your understanding or argument on a topic.

Suppose you are tasked with writing about renewable energy. Your main idea might be that renewable energy is crucial for sustainability. Supporting details can include:

• Statistics from studies showing increased renewable energy usage and its benefits.
• Descriptions of technological innovations like solar panels and wind turbines.
• Examples of countries successfully implementing renewable energy policies.

To make your supporting details more engaging, consider using anecdotes or short stories that relate personal experiences to the topic.

A deeper exploration of effective research methods can significantly aid in finding high-quality supporting details. Consider the use of:

Supporting details - Key takeaways

• Supporting details definition: Elements such as examples, facts, descriptions, and statistics used to reinforce and clarify the main idea or argument in a text.
• Role of supporting details: They clarify the main idea, enhance understanding, and strengthen arguments using concrete evidence.
• Main idea and supporting details: The central point of a piece of writing supported by details that reinforce and expand on that idea.
• Techniques for finding supporting details: Strategies include brainstorming, research, asking questions, and analyzing examples to ensure information is relevant to the main idea.
• Examples of supporting details: Specific instances that add weight and depth to the main idea, helping convince readers of the viewpoints expressed.

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Ignoring brainstorming to focus only on final drafting.

They solely focus on providing unrelated anecdotes.

They confuse the reader deliberately.

They introduce new unrelated topics.

Complex theories unrelated to the main topic of the text.

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36 Writing the Essay Body: Supporting Your Ideas

Whether the drafting of a paragraph begins with a main idea or whether that idea surfaces in the revision process, once you have that main idea, you’ll want to make sure that the idea has enough support. The job of the paragraph body is to develop and support the topic. Here’s one way that you might think about it:

• Topic sentence : what is the main claim of your paragraph; what is the most important idea that you want your readers to take away from this paragraph?
• Support in the form of evidence : how can you prove that your claim or idea is true (or important, or noteworthy, or relevant)?
• Support in the form of analysis or evaluation : what discussion can you provide that helps your readers see the connection between the evidence and your claim?
• Transition : how can you help your readers move from the idea you’re currently discussing to the next idea presented? For more specific discussion about transitions, see the following section on “ Transitions .”

For more on methods of development that can help you to develop and organize your ideas within paragraphs, see “ Patterns of Organization and Methods of Development ” later in this text.

Types of support might include

Now that we have a good idea what it means to develop support for the main ideas of your paragraphs, let’s talk about how to make sure that those supporting details are solid and convincing.

Strong vs. Weak Support

What questions will your readers have? What will they need to know? What makes for good supporting details? Why might readers consider some evidence to be weak?

If you’re already developing paragraphs, it’s likely that you already have a plan for your essay, at least at the most basic level. You know what your topic is, you might have a working thesis, and you probably have at least a couple of supporting ideas in mind that will further develop and support your thesis.

So imagine you’re developing a paragraph on one of these supporting ideas and you need to make sure that the support that you develop for this idea is solid. Considering some of the points about understanding and appealing to your audience (from the Audience and Purpose and the Prewriting sections of this text) can also be helpful in determining what your readers will consider good support and what they’ll consider to be weak. Here are some tips on what to strive for and what to avoid when it comes to supporting details.

Breaking, Combining, or Beginning New Paragraphs

Like sentence length, paragraph length varies. There is no single ideal length for “the perfect paragraph.”  There are some general guidelines, however.

Some writing handbooks or resources suggest that a paragraph should be at least three or four sentences; others suggest that 100 to 200 words is a good target to shoot for.

In academic writing, paragraphs tend to be longer, while in less formal or less complex writing, such as in a newspaper, paragraphs tend to be much shorter. Two-thirds to three-fourths of a page—or seven to twelve sentences—is usually a good target length for paragraphs at your current level of academic writing.

The amount of space needed to develop one idea will likely be different than the amount of space needed to develop another. So when is a paragraph complete? The answer is: when it’s fully developed. The guidelines above for providing good support should help.

Signs to end a paragraph and start a new one:

• You’re ready to begin developing a new idea.
• You want to emphasize a point by setting it apart.
• You’re getting ready to continue discussing the same idea but in a different way (e.g., shifting from comparison to contrast).
• You notice that your current paragraph is getting too long (more than three-fourths of a page or so), and you think your writers will need a visual break.

Signs to combine paragraphs include:

• You notice that some of your paragraphs appear to be short and choppy.
• You have multiple paragraphs on the same topic.
• You have undeveloped material that needs to be united under a clear topic.

Finally, paragraph number is a lot like paragraph length. You may have been asked in the past to write a five-paragraph essay. There’s nothing inherently wrong with a five-paragraph essay, but just like sentence length and paragraph length, the number of paragraphs in an essay depends upon what’s needed to get the job done. There’s really no way to know that until you start writing. So try not to worry too much about the proper length and number of things unless those are specified in your assignment. Just start writing and see where the essay and the paragraphs take you. There will be plenty of time to sort out the organization in the revision process. You’re not trying to fit pegs into holes here. You’re letting your ideas unfold. Give yourself—and them—the space to let that happen.

Text Attributions

• This chapter was adapted from “ The Paragraph Body: Supporting Your Ideas ” in The Word on College Reading and Writing by Carol Burnell, Jaime Wood, Monique Babin, Susan Pesznecker, and Nicole Rosevear, which is licensed under a CC BY-NC 4.0 Licence . Adapted by Allison Kilgannon.

Advanced English Copyright © 2021 by Allison Kilgannon is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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The Paragraph Body: Supporting Your Ideas

Whether the drafting of a paragraph begins with a main idea or whether that idea surfaces in the revision process, once you have that main idea, you’ll want to make sure that the idea has enough support. The job of the paragraph body is to develop and support the topic. Here’s one way that you might think about it:

• Topic sentence : what is the main claim of your paragraph; what is the most important idea that you want your readers to take away from this paragraph?
• Support in the form of evidence : how can you prove that your claim or idea is true (or important, or noteworthy, or relevant)?
• Support in the form of analysis or evaluation : what discussion can you provide that helps your readers see the connection between the evidence and your claim?
• Transition : how can you help your readers move from the idea you’re currently discussing to the next idea presented? (For more specific discussion about transitions, see the following section on “ Developing Relationships between Ideas ”).

For more on methods of development  that can help you to develop and organize your ideas within paragraphs, see “Patterns of Organization and Methods of Development” later in this section of this text.

Types of support might include

• Statistics.
• Quotations.

Now that we have a good idea what it means to develop support for the main ideas of your paragraphs, let’s talk about how to make sure that those supporting details are solid and convincing.

Good vs. Weak Support

What questions will your readers have? What will they need to know? What makes for good supporting details? Why might readers consider some evidence to be weak?

If you’re already developing paragraphs, it’s likely that you already have a plan for your essay, at least at the most basic level. You know what your topic is, you might have a working thesis, and you probably have at least a couple of supporting ideas in mind that will further develop and support your thesis.

So imagine you’re developing a paragraph on one of these supporting ideas and you need to make sure that the support that you develop for this idea is solid. Considering some of the points about understanding and appealing to your audience (from the Audience and Purpose and the Prewriting sections of this text) can also be helpful in determining what your readers will consider good support and what they’ll consider to be weak. Here are some tips on what to strive for and what to avoid when it comes to supporting details.

Breaking, Combining, or Beginning New Paragraphs

Like sentence length, paragraph length varies. There is no single ideal length for “the perfect paragraph.”  There are some general guidelines, however. Some writing handbooks or resources suggest that a paragraph should be at least three or four sentences; others suggest that 100 to 200 words is a good target to shoot for. In academic writing, paragraphs tend to be longer, while in less formal or less complex writing, such as in a newspaper, paragraphs tend to be much shorter. Two-thirds to three-fourths of a page is usually a good target length for paragraphs at your current level of college writing. If your readers can’t see a paragraph break on the page, they might wonder if the paragraph is ever going to end or they might lose interest.

The most important thing to keep in mind here is that the amount of space needed to develop one idea will likely be different than the amount of space needed to develop another. So when is a paragraph complete? The answer is, when it’s fully developed. The guidelines above for providing good support should help.

Some signals that it’s time to end a paragraph and start a new one include that

• You’re ready to begin developing a new idea.
• You want to emphasize a point by setting it apart.
• You’re getting ready to continue discussing the same idea but in a different way (e.g. shifting from comparison to contrast).
• You notice that your current paragraph is getting too long (more than three-fourths of a page or so), and you think your writers will need a visual break.

Some signals that you may want to combine paragraphs include that

• You notice that some of your paragraphs appear to be short and choppy.
• You have multiple paragraphs on the same topic.
• You have undeveloped material that needs to be united under a clear topic.

Finally, paragraph number is a lot like paragraph length. You may have been asked in the past to write a five-paragraph essay. There’s nothing inherently wrong with a five-paragraph essay, but just like sentence length and paragraph length, the number of paragraphs in an essay depends upon what’s needed to get the job done. There’s really no way to know that until you start writing. So try not to worry too much about the proper length and number of things. Just start writing and see where the essay and the paragraphs take you. There will be plenty of time to sort out the organization in the revision process. You’re not trying to fit pegs into holes here. You’re letting your ideas unfold. Give yourself—and them—the space to let that happen.

The Word on College Reading and Writing Copyright © by Carol Burnell, Jaime Wood, Monique Babin, Susan Pesznecker, and Nicole Rosevear is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Supporting Details

Let’s talk about supporting details and how they can help strengthen your writing. A paragraph usually starts with the main idea—also called the topic sentence—and the rest of the paragraph gives specific details to support and develop that point. Today, we’ll be talking about those details, called supporting details.

Supporting Details Definition

Think of it this way: If you’re building a table then you need a flat surface for the tabletop, this is like your main point or topic sentence. If that flat surface doesn’t have any legs to stand on, though, it’s no good as a table! The supporting details are like the legs of the table, propping up the topic sentence.

Types of Supporting Details

There are six main types of supporting details: descriptions, vocabulary, proof, voices, explanation, and importance.

Description

Description is fairly self-explanatory: the writer can use the five senses, comparison, and metaphors to help paint a vivid picture for the reader.

Vocabulary helps with clarification. For example, if you have a topic sentence that relies on the word pulchritudinous , it might help to include a definition of the word so the reader doesn’t get sidetracked. ( Pulchritudinous means “beautiful,” by the way.)

Proof is often made up of facts , statistics, and dates that are hard evidence for your main point

“Voices” are expert quotes, individual opinions, or different perspectives that can be considered “soft proof.”

Explanation

Explanation is restating the main point more simply, and “importance” is answering the question “so what?” after a fact or a quote.

Supporting Details Examples

Let’s take a look at a quick example.

  Okay, so our main point is that first sentence: being a celebrity is difficult. The supporting details follow. You can see a voice is presented, that of Perez Hilton, a descriptive explanation, directing you to think about the paparazzi photos, and two simply descriptive phrases. This paragraph would be even stronger with a testimonial about a real-life story of a celebrity facing danger because of their place in the public image—that would be a proof-based supporting detail.

When you’re writing supporting details, it’s important not to stray too far from your original point. Remember, every paragraph in a written work is pointing back in some way to your overall thesis, and every sentence in the paragraph is pointing to the main point of that paragraph.

If you have a main point about, say, how dogs are man’s best friend, you wouldn’t want to use an example of how disloyal cats are in that paragraph. Save that point for another paragraph—stay focused on facts about dogs in the supporting paragraph about dogs. If you get off track from your main point, your reader might get confused and lose interest.

A common mistake in writing a paper is not providing enough specific details. The more specific, the better. A vague detail is like a thin table leg, it will make your entire point wobbly. Often vague details come when you’re pressed for time or don’t want to research a topic fully—take the time to make your paper worth reading. Let’s look at an example to further prove this point. You could write something like this:

  Okay. You know in general what’s happening. But think how much more convincing the following sentence would be:

  That’s a little more vivid, isn’t it? The details are strong and vibrant, not generic and vague. It makes the writer’s point much more clearly.

So let’s look back on what we’ve learned. Supporting details help hold up your main point. They should be specific, creative, and focused on the main point of the paragraph. Do this, and your writing will greatly improve.

I hope this video has been helpful and that you feel prepped and empowered. Thanks for watching!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are supporting details.

In a literary text, supporting details are general information that clarifies, supports, or explains the main idea or thesis in greater detail, proving the main idea’s credibility with supporting details and examples from the text in order to better understand the story and what the main idea is.

Where do supporting details usually appear in an essay?

Supporting details most often appear within the body of the essay.

How do I identify the main idea and supporting details?

The first sentence within the first paragraph generally contains the main idea. A thesis statement is often placed at the end of the introductory paragraph, followed by the essential supporting details, which are shared within the body paragraphs.

How do I write supporting details?

Supporting details are the well-researched facts and statements, detailed descriptions, examples, and specific details that lead the reader to comprehend the main idea of a paragraph. Supporting details provide clarification to the reader by explaining, describing, and illustrating the main idea within the text. Comparing and contrasting essays are good ways to write supporting details.

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by Mometrix Test Preparation | Last Updated: August 30, 2024