How to Use Context to Determine the Meaning of Words

What are supporting details?

Specific pieces of information that support the main idea or topic sentence.

What is the purpose of supporting details?

To validate, explain, reinforce, or expand the main idea.

What is the main idea?

What an entire paragraph, essay, or piece of writing is about.

Can a main idea be implied?

Yes, it can be directly stated or implied.

What is a topic sentence?

A sentence that states the main idea of a paragraph.

Where do supporting details usually appear?

After the topic sentence or thesis statement.

What should every supporting detail do?

Relate directly to the main idea.

What is the relationship between the main idea and supporting details?

Supporting details provide evidence, explanation, or description for the main idea.

What types of supporting details are common in informational essays?

Facts, evidence, reasons, and explanations.

What types of supporting details are common in fiction?

Descriptions, details, anecdotes, and examples.

What was the topic sentence in the cat example?

Cats make great pets for people who live in apartments.

What supporting detail from the cat example shows cats are convenient?

Cats do not need to be walked.

What supporting detail from the cat example shows cats fit small spaces?

Cats are smaller than most dogs.

What supporting detail from the cat example shows cats are quiet?

Cats do not bark or whine.

What was the main idea in the sailing example?

The weather was not good for sailing.

What supporting detail showed strong winds in the sailing example?

The wind was whipping at thirty knots.

What supporting detail showed rough seas in the sailing example?

The seas were dotted with whitecaps.

What supporting detail showed an approaching storm in the sailing example?

Black storm clouds loomed on the horizon.

Why are supporting details important in fiction?

They help paint a clear picture for the reader.

What are facts and evidence?

True statements used to support a main idea.

What type of writing often uses facts and evidence?

Informational and persuasive writing.

What was the poverty example's main idea?

The United States has a significant number of people living in poverty.

What supporting fact was used in the poverty example?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 22% of Americans lived below the poverty level in 2020.

What are reasons and explanations?

Supporting details that provide opinions, logic, or clarification.

Do reasons and explanations always require facts?

No, they can be based on opinions or reasoning.

What was the car example's main idea?

I should be allowed to have my own car when I get my driver's license.

What supporting detail was given in the car example?

I have driven well and earned excellent grades, showing responsibility.

What are definitions and vocabulary as supporting details?

Explanations of terms that help clarify the main idea.

When are definitions and vocabulary especially useful?

When key terms may be unfamiliar or confusing.

What was the bear market example's main idea?

The stock market is falling because it is in a bear market.

What supporting detail clarified the bear market example?

A bear market occurs when investors sell stocks because prices are falling.

What are descriptions and details?

Supporting details that explain or describe something more fully.

What type of writing often relies heavily on descriptions and details?

Fiction and descriptive writing.

What was the dog example's main idea?

The neighbor's dog always scared me.

What supporting detail described the dog?

It was giant, mangy, had huge teeth, and an unsettling growl.

Why are descriptions useful?

They help readers visualize and understand the topic.

What are anecdotes and examples?

Stories or situations that help explain a main idea.

What is an anecdote?

A short, interesting story about a real person or event.

What was the John example's main idea?

John is a kind person despite being a tough basketball player.

What supporting anecdote supported John's kindness?

He signed a friend's hat without being asked.

What are testimonials and quotes?

Statements from others used to support a claim.

What type of writing often uses testimonials and quotes?

Persuasive writing.

What is a testimonial?

A formal statement about a person's or product's quality.

What was the sneaker example's main idea?

These purple sneakers are the best basketball shoes available.

What supporting detail was used in the sneaker example?

A famous basketball player said he never plays in any other shoe.

How can you identify a supporting detail?

Check whether it directly relates to the main idea.

What is a major supporting detail?

A detail that directly supports the main idea.

What is a minor supporting detail?

A detail that supports or explains a major supporting detail.

How are major and minor supporting details related?

Major details support the main idea; minor details support the major details.

In the poverty example, what was the major supporting detail?

22% of Americans lived below the poverty level in 2020.

In the poverty example, what was the minor supporting detail?

Anyone earning less than $12,880 annually was considered in poverty.

What happens if a sentence does not relate to the main idea?

It is not a supporting detail.

What types of supporting details were listed in the lesson?

Facts and evidence, reasons and explanations, definitions and vocabulary, descriptions and details, anecdotes and examples, testimonials and quotes.

What kind of supporting details should a persuasive essay use?

Facts, evidence, reasons, and testimonials.

What kind of supporting details should a narrative essay use?

Descriptions, examples, and anecdotes.

How can descriptions strengthen writing?

By adding details about sights, sounds, smells, feelings, and textures.

How can examples strengthen writing?

By providing specific evidence that supports a claim.

What should writers do when making an opinion-based claim?

Provide reasons to support the opinion.

What do explanations do?

Clarify ideas readers may not understand.

How can facts strengthen an argument?

By providing evidence that supports a claim.

Why must supporting details connect to the topic sentence?

To keep the paragraph focused and effective.

How can writers stay focused on their topic?

List the topic sentence and supporting details before drafting.

What is the overall purpose of supporting details?

To provide information that supports and develops the main idea.