What are Supporting Details?
Supporting details are specific pieces of information that strengthen and explain the main idea of a paragraph or passage. They provide evidence, examples, statistics, and anecdotes to back up the main point being made. These details help to clarify, elaborate, and prove the validity of the main idea.
Examples of Supporting Details
For example, if the main idea of a paragraph is that exercise is important for overall health, supporting details might include statistics on the benefits of exercise, personal anecdotes about how exercise has improved someone’s health, and expert quotes on the topic.
Case Studies on Supporting Details
In a study conducted by Harvard University, researchers found that students who included supporting details in their essays scored higher on exams than those who did not. This highlights the importance of including specific evidence to strengthen arguments and ideas.
Statistics on Supporting Details
According to a survey conducted by the Writing Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, 90% of students reported that using supporting details improved their writing and helped them to communicate their ideas more effectively.
