English Language Arts
Grade 6
15 min
Identify supporting details in informational texts
Identify supporting details in informational texts
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define 'supporting details' and explain their purpose in informational texts.
Distinguish between the main idea and supporting details within a given paragraph or passage.
Locate explicit supporting details that directly prove or explain a claim.
Identify various types of supporting details, such as facts, statistics, examples, and expert opinions.
Explain how supporting details strengthen an author's claim or main idea.
Use supporting details to answer comprehension questions about informational texts.
Categorize supporting details based on their relevance to the main idea.
Ever wonder how detectives solve mysteries? 🕵️♀️ They gather clues and evidence to prove what happened! In reading, you'll be a text detective, finding clues th...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Informational TextA type of non-fiction writing that aims to inform, explain, or describe a topic using facts, statistics, and examples.A science textbook chapter about the water cycle, a newspaper article about local events, or a biography of a historical figure.
Main IdeaThe central point or message an author wants to convey about a topic. It's what the entire text or paragraph is mostly about.In a paragraph about why exercise is good for you, the main idea might be: 'Regular exercise offers many health benefits.'
Supporting DetailPieces of information (facts, examples, statistics, reasons, descriptions) that explain, prove, or elaborate on the main idea or a specific claim.For the main idea 'Regular exercise offers many health benefits,' a...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The 'What About It?' Rule
After identifying a potential main idea, ask yourself: 'What does the author say about this main idea?' The answers are usually the supporting details.
This rule helps you differentiate between the broad topic and the specific points the author makes about it. If a sentence doesn't answer 'what about it?' for the main idea, it might be a new main idea or irrelevant.
Signal Word Search
Look for signal words and phrases that often introduce supporting details, such as 'for example,' 'for instance,' 'in addition,' 'also,' 'specifically,' 'another reason,' 'first,' 'second,' 'finally,' 'according to,' or 'studies show...
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Challenging
An author presents the following claim and supporting details: 'Claim: The internet has transformed communication. Detail 1: Email allows for instant messaging across the globe. Detail 2: Social media connects people with shared interests. Detail 3: Video conferencing enables face-to-face conversations from anywhere.' What type of supporting details are these?
A.Statistics
B.Expert opinions
C.Examples
D.Facts that are not examples
Challenging
Read the passage: 'The city's new recycling program is a resounding success. First, participation has exceeded expectations. In just six months, the volume of recycled materials has increased by 50 percent. Second, the program is financially beneficial. The city has earned $200,000 from selling recycled materials, offsetting the program's costs.' Which sentence is a supporting detail that provides evidence for ANOTHER supporting detail?
A.The city's new recycling program is a resounding success.
B.First, participation has exceeded expectations.
C.The volume of recycled materials has increased by 50 percent.
D.Second, the program is financially beneficial.
Challenging
An author makes the claim: 'Modern technology in classrooms, while beneficial, can also be a significant distraction for students.' A strong argument would require supporting details that do what?
A.Only list the benefits of technology, such as access to information.
B.Provide evidence for both the benefits and the distractions caused by technology.
C.Focus only on the author's opinion that technology is mostly bad.
D.Give examples of old classroom technology, like film projectors.
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