English Language Arts
Grade 7
15 min
Identify supporting details in informational texts
Identify supporting details in informational texts
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define 'claim' and 'supporting detail' in the context of informational texts.
Distinguish between a main claim and the specific details that support it.
Locate various types of supporting details (facts, statistics, examples, expert opinions) within informational texts.
Explain how identified supporting details strengthen or prove an author's claim.
Evaluate the relevance and credibility of supporting details to a given claim.
Summarize the key supporting details for a central claim in their own words.
Ever wonder how people convince you of something, like why a certain video game is the best? 🤔 It's all about what they say and how they back it up!
In this lesson, you'll learn how to find the specific pieces of informa...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Informational TextA type of writing that aims to educate, explain, or describe real-world topics, events, or concepts using facts and evidence.A science textbook chapter about the water cycle, a news article about a local event, or a biography of a historical figure.
ClaimThe main point, argument, or assertion an author makes in an informational text; it's what the author wants the reader to believe or understand.''Recycling plastic bottles significantly benefits the environment.'
Supporting DetailSpecific pieces of information, evidence, or examples that explain, prove, or elaborate on an author's main claim.For the claim 'Recycling plastic bottles significantly benefits the environment,' a supporting detail could be 'Recyclin...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The 'Claim-Detail Connection' Rule
Every strong supporting detail must directly answer the question 'How does this prove or explain the author's main claim?'
First, identify the author's main claim. Then, for each piece of information you find, ask yourself if it directly supports that specific claim. If it doesn't, it might be a different claim, background information, or an irrelevant detail.
The 'Signal Word Search' Rule
Look for specific words and phrases that often introduce supporting details or evidence.
Words like 'for example,' 'for instance,' 'in addition,' 'specifically,' 'according to,' 'studies show,' 'research indicates,' 'as a result,' a...
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Challenging
Consider these three statements: (1) 'Many teens report eye strain after hours on their phones.' (2) 'Blue light from screens can disrupt natural sleep cycles.' (3) 'A survey found that time spent on social media correlates with higher rates of anxiety.' What is the most likely IMPLICIT claim these details support?
A.Teenagers should not be allowed to have phones.
B.Excessive screen time has negative effects on adolescent health.
C.Social media is the biggest problem facing teenagers today.
D.Blue light is bad for your eyes and your sleep.
Challenging
An author argues that 'colony collapse disorder is a serious threat to honeybee populations.' The author provides statistics on bee population decline and expert opinions from entomologists. To make the argument stronger, which type of supporting detail is most noticeably MISSING?
A.fact about the history of beekeeping.
B.An example of a specific region or farm that has been devastated by the disorder.
C.Another statistic about a different insect.
D.An opinion from a celebrity about saving the bees.
Challenging
Read the passage: 'The Great Barrier Reef is in grave danger. Rising ocean temperatures have led to widespread coral bleaching, a process where the coral expels the algae living in its tissues, causing it to turn white. A 2020 study by the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies found that over 50% of the reef's corals have been lost in the past three decades. Pollution from coastal runoff also smothers the coral, further threatening the delicate ecosystem.' Which option best summarizes the key supporting details for the central claim?
A.The Great Barrier Reef is in danger because of coral bleaching and pollution.
B.Coral turns white when it expels algae, and over 50% of it has been lost.
C.The key threats are coral bleaching caused by rising temperatures and suffocation from coastal pollution, which has led to a 50% loss of coral.
D.2020 study showed a major loss of coral, and pollution is also a problem.
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