Identify supporting details in literary texts
key notes:
1. What Are Supporting Details?
- Supporting details are pieces of information that help explain, describe, or prove the main idea of a literary text.
- They provide evidence, examples, and explanations to support the central theme or message.
2. Types of Supporting Details
- Examples: Specific instances that clarify the main idea.
- Facts: True statements that support the theme or message.
- Descriptions: Sensory details that paint a picture in the reader’s mind.
- Quotations: Lines from the text that provide direct support.
- Reasons: Logical explanations that justify the main idea.
3. How to Identify Supporting Details?
- Find the Main Idea: First, determine what the passage is mostly about.
- Look for Repeated Ideas: Key details often appear more than once.
- Check for Key Words: Words like “for example,” “such as,” and “because” introduce supporting details.
- Ask Questions: What proves the main point? What makes the idea clearer?
4. Why Are Supporting Details Important?
- They strengthen the argument or theme of the text.
- They help readers understand and remember the main idea.
- They make literary texts more engaging and meaningful.
5. Example
Main Idea: “Friendship requires trust and understanding.”
Supporting Details:
- A character shares a secret with a friend, showing trust.
- The friend helps during a difficult time, proving understanding.
- The story ends with both characters appreciating their bond.
let’s practice!