Final answer:
Supporting details are elements such as facts, statistics, and examples that substantiate the main ideas or arguments in a text. They are crucial in academic writing to bolster one's thesis statement and to provide evidence for claims made. The evidence should be effective and analysis should explain its relevance to the main point.
Step-by-step explanation:
Supporting details are pieces of information in a text that assist in elucidating and reinforcing the main ideas or arguments presented by the author. These details can take the form of facts, statistics, examples, and quotes from authoritative sources. In writing, especially academic or argumentative essays, it's essential to have evidence that underpins your thesis or main points. This evidence can be drawn from a close analysis or reading of the text.
When evaluating supporting evidence, it's crucial to consider its type and effectiveness. For example, in literary texts, supporting details might include language features like imagery, similes, metaphors, or character dialogue that add depth to the narrative or argument. In informational texts, supporting details might include repeated statements or summaries of key ideas. In argumentative texts, each claim should be backed up with sound reasoning and robust evidence. The goal is always to choose the most effective evidence to convince the reader of your argument's validity.
The process of developing a main point in a paragraph starts with a clear topic sentence, which is then expanded upon with relevant supporting details. Analysis of these supporting details in the writer's own words also plays a vital role, as it connects the evidence to the main point and explains its significance to the reader.