SUPPORTING DETAILS Karen Y Silvestri, Instructor

Recall  A topic sentence consists of: Main Idea Specific Impression Raise I deserve one.

I deserve a raise. This is your MAIN POINT, your TOPIC SENTENCE.

WHY do you deserve a raise?  Without supporting details, you state the main point, but you don’t make the main point!

How do you add supporting details?  Examples that show  Facts that explain  Evidence that proves

Good Support:  SHOWS: it provides visual details using sensory imagery  EXPLAINS: it offers specific examples  PROVES: it provides specific evidence from outside sources

Primary support points: the major ideas that back up your main point. Secondary support points: details to back up your primary support. What are some supporting details you can think of for why you deserve a raise?

Main Idea Primary Support Detail I deserve a raise. Attendance Experience Hard Working Preparing a flowchart like this one can help you to organize your thoughts.

Adding Secondary Support  Now that you have chosen your PRIMARY supports, you need to add supporting details for your supporting details! (no groaning!)  You add secondary support by providing additional examples and illustrations to back up your primary support. Let’s add some support to our PRIMARY details by adding examples…..

Main Idea Primary Support Detail Secondary Support Detail Primary Support Detail Secondary Support Detail Topic Sentence: I deserve a raise. Attendance Experience Hardworking Can you think of some specific details, examples, or illustrations we can use as secondary supporting details?

Longevity at job I deserve a raise. Attendance Experience Hard Working Never late Rarely absent Advancement Follow procedures Go that extra mile Main Idea (Topic Sentence) Primary Supporting Details Secondary Supporting Details

 Now that you have a roadmap to guide you, writing the PARAGRAPH is a SNAP!!  Turn all your points into complete sentences.  Add some good specific details.  Sprinkle in a few transitional phrases, And you now have a …. PARAGRAPH!

Longevity at job I deserve a raise. Attendance Experience Hard Working Never late Rarely absent Advancement Follow procedures Go that extra mile I believe that I deserve a raise. First, my attendance has been very good. I am never late, and I have rarely been absent. In addition, I have five years experience working here, and I have advanced from entry level to middle management in a short period of time. Finally, I am a hard worker. My evaluations show that I follow policies and procedures to the letter. My supervisors will tell you that I am always willing to go the extra mile. For all of these reasons, I hope you will consider granting me a raise. Now it’s your turn! But first here are some tips on GENERATING your supporting details!

Strategies for Generating Support  Circle an important word or phrase in your topic sentence.  Write about the word you circled for a minute or two. Jot down everything that comes to mind from that word.  Reread your topic sentence and write down your first thought, then the next thought, etc.  Use a prewriting technique – freewrite, cluster, list, brainstorm, etc.)

Narrowing it down  Look over the list or cluster that you made.  Select three to five points that have something in common and get your point across.  Choose the supports that are the clearest and most convincing.  Choose the supports that offer the best examples, facts, and observations.

Remember!  Just because you find a point that is interesting doesn’t necessarily mean you should include it in your writing! ALL SUPPORTING DETAILS HAVE TO BACK UP YOUR TOPIC SENTENCE!

Practice: choose one of the following sentences and use listing, freewriting, or clustering to generate some supporting details.  Today there is no such thing as a “typical” college student.  Learning happens not only in school but throughout a person’s life.

International Today there is no such thing as a “typical” college student. Different ages Different cultures Different backgrounds Not just high school grads Senior Citizens Disabled People with children People returning after working Today there is no such thing as a “typical” college student. First, college students today are of all different ages. Their ages range from kids just out of high school to senior citizens. In addition, college students today come from many different cultures. Many students are immigrants or visitors from countries around the world. Today’s colleges also provide opportunities for disabled students who previously were unable to attend college. Finally, students attending college today come from different backgrounds. They are people with children and people who are returning to or just starting college after being in the workforce. Today’s colleges have a wide variety of students on and off campus.

Resources  McWhorter, Kathleen T. Reading Across the Disciplines, 2 nd edition  Anker, Susan. Real Writing, 4 th Edition  Silvestri, Karen. Miscellaneous lesson plans.