Key ideas · Topic 2 of 8

Supporting Details

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Reading · key ideas

Supporting details are the evidence behind the main idea. Detail answers are stated in the text: find the key word, reread around it, match.

01 · What they areDetails = the evidence for the main idea

02 · In the textThe answer is in the text — go find it

03 · NOT / EXCEPT itemsNOT/EXCEPT: cross off what the text states

Supporting details = the facts, examples and reasons behind the main idea must know

Major details back the main idea; minor details back a major one

Detail types: facts, numbers, examples, reasons, anecdotes, background

Step 1: mark the key word in the question (name, number, term)

Step 2: scan for the key word, then reread the sentences around it

Step 3: match the meaning — watch all, only, never, not

Detail signals: for example, for instance, such as, another, also, in addition

Order signals: first, next, then, before, after, later, finally, dates

Detail answers are stated in the text — go back and find them must know

NOT / EXCEPT: cross off what the text states; the leftover is the answer

Sequence: follow time words and dates, not sentence order

Bakery order: mix dough → heat ovens → loaves cool → doors open

Otters: stones ✓ kelp ✓ — "they eat urchins" is NOT stated → the answer

Biking saves money: no fuel, cheaper repairs = major; the $60 rider = minor

Commonly confused

	Major detail	Minor detail
Its job	Supports the main idea directly	Explains or illustrates a major detail
Biking example	No fuel to buy; cheaper repairs	One rider's $60 a year on upkeep
In a summary	Keep it	Leave it out

True in real life ≠ stated in the passage

Show 5 more facts

Question clues: "which detail…", "the passage states…", "NOT mentioned"

Strategy: "Before that" or "Earlier" marks an event that came first

Details fill the body of a paragraph, after the topic sentence

Background details set the scene; they are not the proof

Transition sentences link details across paragraphs (look back, look ahead)

Pearl

Don't answer from memory: the detail is on the page, so go back and find it.

Practice this topic, then test the whole section.

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