Supporting detail — English definition
Defined in 3 courses:
- A fact, example, number, or explanation the author uses to build up and prove the central idea. (English 6)
- Information that explains, illustrates, or qualifies an idea. (English 7: Reading, Evidence & Expression)
- A fact, example, or piece of evidence that develops the central idea. (English 8: Trust, Community & Responsibility)
Where it is taught
- Central Idea & Supporting Details — Reading Informational Text, English 6, Grade 6
- Central Idea & Supporting Details — Information, Media & Evidence, English 7: Reading, Evidence & Expression, Grade 7
- Central Idea & Objective Summary — Informational Reading & Media, English 8: Trust, Community & Responsibility, Grade 8
Questions using supporting detail
Problem 1
- People should protect bees.
- Honeybees are important to farms in many ways.
- One study found a single bee colony can pollinate millions of flowers in a day.
- Bees matter.
Answer and explanation
One study found a single bee colony can pollinate millions of flowers in a day.
The specific study and number is a detail used as evidence for the broader central idea about why bees matter.
Problem 2
Answer and explanation
Central idea: Bats are surprisingly helpful to people — they control insects and help plants grow. Supporting details: one little brown bat can eat up to a thousand insects in an hour, protecting crops; fruit and nectar bats spread seeds and pollinate plants like bananas and mangoes. Name the relevant detail before explaining its connection. A conclusion alone does not demonstrate the method.
Central idea: Bats are surprisingly helpful to people — they control insects and help plants grow. Supporting details: one little brown bat can eat up to a thousand insects in an hour, protecting crops; fruit and nectar bats spread seeds and pollinate plants like bananas and mangoes. Name the relevant detail before explaining its connection. A conclusion alone does not demonstrate the method.
Response criteria
- Answer the actual question with accurate details.
- Explain how the evidence or language choice supports the conclusion.
- State a relevant limit, alternative or justified revision.
Problem 3
Answer and explanation
Information that explains, illustrates, or qualifies an idea. The unit case offers this example to examine: The distinction between a lamp’s observed symptom and its possible cause makes the record inspectable. Treating an unrecorded trial as unknown rather than a failure preserves another limit. Together these details develop the idea that useful logs show what happened and what remains uncertain, rather than merely announcing success. Identify the wording or choice that fits the term. A different accurate example is acceptable.
Use the model to discuss reasoning after an independent attempt. A different accurate supported response can be correct; written work needs human marking.