SUPPORTING DETAILS
At the end of this chapter, you should be able to
recognize and evaluate types of supporting details
Identify major and minor details
Differentiate between facts and opinions
Recognize pattern of organization
Types of Supporting Details
Examples
Historical
Illustrations
data
Personal
Definitions
experiences
TYPES OF
SUPPORTIN
G DETAILS
Observations Statistics
Research
Testimonies
findings
1. Examples
An instance of something
Specific examples are used to explain the topic sentence or main idea
It can be brief if multiple examples are given
workplace bullying is similar to other forms of bullying, as it involves the use of physical
force or influence to harass or intimidate someone into doing what the bully wants. The
hostile actions can be both obvious and subtle. Examples of workplace bullying include
excluding or isolating someone socially, intimidating, physically abusing or threatening to
abuse, withholding necessary information or purposefully giving the wrong information, and
assigning unreasonable duties or workload which are unfavorable to one person.
However, it can be specific or more elaborate than general statements if needed
There are a few definitions of self-concept. For example, Pastorino and Doyle-Portillo (2013)
defines self-concept as our perception or image of our abilities and our uniqueness. At first,
one’s self-concept is very general and changeable. As we grow older, these self-perceptions
become much more organized, detailed and specific. According to Weiten, Dunn and
Hammer (2012), a self-concept is…………For example, a self-concept might include such
beliefs as ‘I am easy-going,’ ‘I am pretty’ or ‘I am hardworking’.
2. Illustrations
It uses specific and detailed examples to explain general statements
Detailed and well-chosen examples add interest, vigor and power to your writing.
Illustrations help us to express ourselves more vividly and precisely in our writing.
An illustration
For instance… For example…
of this…
A case in point Another instance
To illustrate…
is… of…
Another Another Here are a few
example of… illustration of… examples of…
Difficulty in breathing involves difficult breathing, uncomfortable breathing or feeling as if
you are not getting enough air. For instance, some people may suffer difficulty while or after
climbing a flight of stairs, even though they do not have any medical condition. Another form
of breathing difficulty is wheezing, where a high-pitched sound is made when someone
breathes out.
3. Definitions
A definition gives the explanation of a term, an idea or a concept.
It can be done by comparing with other similar subjects, focusing on the key differences
between them and your subject.
Examples are also provided in defining a concept that is abstract.
A petty crime is a type of crime that is not considered serious when compared with
some other crimes. The punishment is usually just a small fine or short-term
imprisonment. Shoplifting, littering, jaywalking and loitering are considered as petty
crimes in many countries.
4. Statistics
It refers to data, information, facts, figures, numbers and details.
It involves the collection, classification, analysis, and interpretation of numerical facts for
drawing inferences on the basis of their probability.
It is something that has been decided upon objectively and can be externally verified.
Today, around 40 percent of the world’s population has an internet connection.
Today, Chinese youths (15 – 24 years) have a 99 percent literacy rate.
5. Testimonies
It is an acknowledgement or authentication of a fact based on one’s experience.
A testimony is given by a person who has experienced or witnessed the fact.
It can be done verbally or in writing.
Expert testimony Expert Opinion ‘eye-witness testimony’
- An expert stating the facts - An expert stating his/her - Account given by someone who
opinion about the facts has seen or witnessed an event (e.g.
an accident, a murder)
In the drunk driving case, an expert in blood alcohol analysis testified that the police report,
indicating that the driver was driving over the legal limit, was flawed.
According to Professor John Smith, a professor of history from our university, the broken ceramic
pieces discovered at the archaeological site date as far back as 200 BC.
Identifying major and minor supporting
details
A paragraph consists of a main idea and supporting details.
Supporting details can be divided into:
Major details Minor details
General ideas that support the main idea Specifics that illustrate or support the
of a text major details
Include reasons, points in an argument, Include examples, specific details,
points of comparison etc specific instances and statistics
First/second/third, Furthermore, Next, For example, For instance, That is, This
Finally etc. means, To explain etc.
All paragraphs must have a main idea and major supporting details. However, not all major
supporting details are supported by minor details.
Shyness is a characteristic of human nature. According to a psychologist, Philip G. Zimbardo,
there are differences in the ways that shyness is handled by people of different countries and
cultures. For instance, people he interviewed in Japan admitted to experiencing a greater
degree of shyness when meeting with strangers than did the people he interviewed in Israel .
Differentiating between facts and opinions
The information given in a paragraph can be one of there types. They can be facts,
opinions and incorrect information.
Facts Opinions Incorrect information
• Are correct and true • Are information that • Can be
information from reliable cannot be verified disapproved/untrue
sources through experiences, • The information can be
• Can be verified through research, observations or proved untrue through
experiences, research, experimentation experience, research,
observations or • Can be proved or observation or
experimentation disapproved experimentation
Table 4.2 (page 73) shows examples of facts and opinions.
Patterns of organization
narrative descriptive exemplification
Compare and Advantage and
Process
contrast disadvantage
Problem and
Cause and effect Spatial
solution
Topical Chronological
Narratives
It aims to tell a story, in order to explain or illustrate a point.
Uses transitions of time and space, and may feature the process and descriptive details,
people, places, or events to make it interesting and captivating.
Usually, the time phrases are used in narratives.
It was 1985. she has just returned from her studies abroad. Happy to be home, she was
all ready to work and to conquer the world. However, much to her disappointment, the
country was facing its worst ever recession. Many people lost their jobs and new jobs
were not readily available. She was utterly devastated! She had to stay home waiting for
things to improve. All her plans went awry. It was the worst time of her life.
Descriptions
Uses vivid sensory to talk about people, places things and ideas.
It also uses various parts of speech to make the description clearer to the reader.
Langkawi Island is located in the state of Kedah, Malaysia. It is an archipelago made of 99
islands on the west coast of Malaysia. It is surrounded by turquoise sea, while the main island
is a mixture of paddy fields and jungle clad-hills. Nature lovers can enjoy island-hopping
cruises, jungle trekking and snorkeling activities.
Exemplifications
An exemplification essays makes use of clear examples to demonstrate or explain a point.
The examples presented should be relevant, clear, and specific to satisfactorily explain the
main ideas that you are discussing.
Fresh graduates who are unable to get jobs can create their own jobs or be self-employed.
They can do online businesses or get involved in agriculture. Online businesses require a
relatively low capital and have the potential to grow. Another activity that these graduates can
engage is in agriculture. They can plant vegetables, rice and fruit trees.
Processes or Sequentials
Is used to explain a process or how to do something.
Transition of time and enumeration are used to help readers clearly understand the process
or steps to do something.
Similar to chronological pattern, but it arranges information according to a step-by-step
sequence that describes a particular process.
Works well in cases where the author wishes to describe a process that follows a specific
series of steps in particular order or sequence.
Refer to page 77 for examples
Compare and contrast patterns
It arranges information according to how two or more things are similar to or different
form one another (or both)
Refer to page 79 for examples.
Advantage and Disadvantage patterns
It organizes information about a topic by dividing it up into its ‘good’ and ‘bad’ parts or
pros and cons.
An effective pattern to discuss both topics objectively.
It allows readers to weigh both sides of the issue.
For example, the advantages and disadvantages of attending a two-year college are in
terms of costs, accessibility etc.
Refer to page 80 for more examples.
Cause and Effect patterns
It analyses the causes and effects of something or the relationship between them.
It is used when the author aims to persuade the readers on an issue by giving them
adequate support, in terms of what causes the issue and the consequences or effects.
It is particularly effective in persuasive documents.
cause effect
• Because • Thus
• In effect • Therefore
• Given that • Consequently
• Since • As a result
• For that reason
Refer to page 82 for examples.
Problem and Solution patterns
It divided into two main sections, one that describes a problems and one that describes a
solution.
It is usually used in persuasive writing, where the author’s general purpose is to convince
the reader to support a certain course of action.
It is designed to coerce the reader to make some kind of change in opinion or behavior by
establishing that a problem exists, then providing a solution.
There are many causes of poverty. These include a lack of income, a lack or resources, a lack
of limited access to education and services, and a loss of livelihood due to an economic
downturn. To eradicate poverty, there should be concerned efforts by the authorities,
businesses and the individuals living in poverty themselves.
Spatial Patterns
This pattern arranges information according to how things fit together in physical space,
that is, where one thing exists in relation to another.
It is used when an author wishes to create a mental picture of something which has various
parts distinguished by physical location. (e.g. geography)
The mansion has four wings. The north wing is the common living area. The east wing
consists of five en-suite rooms. The south wing has a kitchen and the main dining area.
Finally, the west wing houses a library and a workstation.
Topical Patterns
The most commonly used format, and will typically work when other patterns do not.
A topical pattern arranges information according to different sub-topics within a larger
topic, or the ‘types’ of things that fall within a larger category.
Each ‘type’ represents a main section of information.
Refer page 85 for examples.
Chronological Patterns
It arranges the supporting details in the paragraph according to a movement of time.
Historical events, narratives and process patterns are commonly presented using this
pattern of organization.
Refer to page 87 for examples.