1. Supporting Sentences
Details and Examples

2. Review Topic Sentence A topic sentence consists of:
Main Idea Specific Impression
Raise I deserve one.

3. Topic Sentence I deserve a raise.
This is the MAIN POINT—the TOPIC SENTENCE.

4. Supporting Sentences WHY do you deserve a raise?
Without supporting details, you state the main point, but you don’t make the main point!
So, how do you add supporting details?
Examples that show
Facts that explain
Evidence that proves

5. Supporting Sentences A good supporting sentence
SHOWS: it provides visual details using sensory imagery
EXPLAINS: it offers specific examples
PROVES: it provides specific evidence from outside sources

6. I deserve a raise because
Organizing
What are some supporting details you can think of for why you deserve a raise? Preparing a flowchart like this one can help you to organize your thoughts.
Main Idea
Primary Support
I deserve a raise because
attendance
experience
hard-working

7. Adding Secondary Support
Now that you have chosen PRIMARY support, add supporting details for the supporting details! Add secondary support by providing additional examples and illustrations to back up your primary support. Let’s take a minute to think of some specific details, examples, or illustrations we can use as secondary supporting details.

8. Secondary Support
Topic Sentence: I deserve a raise.
Attendance
Main Idea
Primary Support Detail
Secondary Support Detail
Experience
Hardworking
Notice how we have added explanations for each primary supporting detail.

9. Secondary Support Main Idea (Topic Sentence) I deserve a raise.
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

10. Almost finished . . .
Now that you have a roadmap to guide you, writing the PARAGRAPH is easy.
Let’s do some fine tuning—minor adjustments:
turn all your points into complete sentences,
add some good specific details,
sprinkle in a few transitional phrases,
And you now have a PARAGRAPH!

11. I deserve a raise.
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.
Attendance
Never late
Rarely absent
Experience
Longevity at job
Advancement
Hard Working
Follow procedures
Go that extra mile

12. Let’s try some!
Supporting Sentences

13. 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 – free-write, cluster, list, brainstorm, etc.)

14. 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!

15. Today there is no such thing as a “typical” college student.
Practice Activity
Write a paragraph on the following topic:
Use listing, freewriting, or clustering to generate some supporting details.
Today there is no such thing as a “typical” college student.

16. My paragraph is on the next slide.

17. Today there is no such thing as a “typical” college student
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.
Today there is no such thing as a “typical” college student.
Different ages
Not just high school grads
Senior Citizens
Different cultures
International
Disabled
Different backgrounds
People with children
People returning after working