The Writing Center – Valle Verde Supporting Details Experienced writers will often place their thesis statement in their opening paragraph and add evidence and information to their paper as support. It is also important that a writer supports the topic sentence of every paragraph. Good writing will contain information that backs up any assertion that it makes. There are many different types of information that can give support to a writer’s claim; these can be referred to as supporting details. Types of Supporting Details Reasons: Writers can use reasons to reinforce their points. Ex: In case of an emergency, it is important for a person to save money. Examples: An author can validate her opinions with examples. Ex: A person can prepare for the Holidays by adding money to a Christmas account on a monthly basis. Statistics: The use of statistics helps to prove the opinions written in a paper. Ex: According to Cable News Network, 27% of Americans have no savings at all. Anecdotes: A personal story, or anecdote, gives clarity to a position. Ex: In the past, many poor families put money aside regularly to avoid calamity. Facts: Facts are important in confirming a premise. Ex: Preparing a budget will help a young person save money. Quotations: To support the thesis of a paper, an author can use related quotations from a reliable source. Some quotations and details are common knowledge; the information is not taken from any specific resource. However, any sources that are used should be cited to avoid plagiarism. Example: A person who is creating a budget should consider the words of Benjamin Franklin, who said, “A penny saved is a penny earned.” The Writing Center – Valle Verde Major or Minor Details? Major Details: The major details in writing support the main idea, or the thesis, of a paper. In an outline, these details are written as a major point. Minor Details: The minor details support the major details of a paper. In an outline, these details are a minor point. Example: Thesis Statement: Having an emergency fund is necessary for people who want to get their finances under control. 1. (Major Detail/major point) In the past, many poor families put money aside regularly to avoid calamity. a. (Minor Detail/minor point) They did without things in order to be prepared for the future. b. (Minor Detail) They were ready for emergencies. c. (Minor Detail) Credit cards and other ways of borrowing money were not available. Information courtesy of: Johnson, Angela. "76% of Americans Are Living Paycheck-to-paycheck." Money.cnn.com. Cable News Network., 24 June 2013. Web. 15 Apr. 2015. <http://money.cnn.com/2013/06/24/pf/emergency-savings/>. Lorcher, Trent. "Lesson Plan: Using Evidence and Supporting Details in Writing." Brighthubeducation.com. Bright Hub Education, 17 Jan. 2012. Web. 15 Apr. 2015. <http://www.brighthubeducation.com/high-school-english-lessons/22356-supporting-details-and-evidence-in-writing/>. "Supporting Details - Tutor Hints." Palmbeachstate.edu. Palm Beach State College. Web. 16 Apr. 2015. <http://www.palmbeachstate.edu/slc/Documents/supporting details hints.pdf>.
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