Supporting Details
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What are Supporting Details?
Supporting details are facts, examples, or reasons that tell more about the main idea. They help explain the main idea and make it stronger!
Think of the main idea like a table. The supporting details are like the legs that hold up the table. Without them, the table would fall down!
Types of Supporting Details
- Facts - True information (like "Dogs have four legs")
- Examples - Specific cases (like "My dog Rex loves to play fetch")
- Reasons - Why something is true (like "Dogs are loyal because they love their owners")
- Descriptions - Words that paint a picture (like "The fluffy, brown puppy")
How to Find Supporting Details
After you find the main idea, ask yourself:
- What facts does the author give?
- What examples does the author use?
- What reasons does the author share?
Remember!
Supporting details answer questions like: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?
Examples
Let's find the main idea AND the supporting details!
Example 1
Elephants are amazing animals. They are the largest animals on land. Elephants have long trunks that help them grab food. They live together in family groups.
Main Idea: Elephants are amazing animals.
Supporting Details:
- They are the largest animals on land.
- They have long trunks that help them grab food.
- They live together in family groups.
Example 2
I had a great birthday! I got a new bike. My friends came to my party. We ate cake and played games.
Main Idea: I had a great birthday!
Supporting Details:
- I got a new bike.
- My friends came to my party.
- We ate cake and played games.
Example 3
Frogs are interesting creatures. They start as tadpoles in the water. Frogs can jump very far. Some frogs are bright colors to warn predators.
Main Idea: Frogs are interesting creatures.
Supporting Details:
- They start as tadpoles in the water.
- Frogs can jump very far.
- Some frogs are bright colors to warn predators.
Example 4
You should always wash your hands. Washing removes germs that make you sick. Use soap and water. Scrub for 20 seconds - that is like singing the ABCs!
Main Idea: You should always wash your hands.
Supporting Details:
- Washing removes germs that make you sick.
- Use soap and water.
- Scrub for 20 seconds.
Example 5
Summer is my favorite season. I can swim at the pool. I do not have school. We go on vacation to the beach.
Main Idea: Summer is my favorite season.
Supporting Details (reasons why):
- I can swim at the pool.
- I do not have school.
- We go on vacation to the beach.
Practice Problems
Find the supporting details in each passage!
1. Pizza is delicious. It has gooey cheese. The crust is crispy. You can add your favorite toppings. What are the supporting details?
Show Answer
Supporting details: It has gooey cheese. The crust is crispy. You can add your favorite toppings.
2. Lions are powerful hunters. They have sharp teeth. Lions run very fast. They hunt together as a group. What are the supporting details?
Show Answer
Supporting details: They have sharp teeth. Lions run very fast. They hunt together as a group.
3. My dog is the best pet. He is always happy to see me. He sleeps at the end of my bed. He plays fetch with me every day. What are the supporting details?
Show Answer
Supporting details: He is always happy to see me. He sleeps at the end of my bed. He plays fetch with me every day.
4. Trees are important. They give us oxygen to breathe. Birds build nests in them. They give us shade on hot days. What are the supporting details?
Show Answer
Supporting details: They give us oxygen to breathe. Birds build nests in them. They give us shade on hot days.
5. My room is messy. Toys are on the floor. Books are piled on my desk. Clothes are everywhere! What are the supporting details?
Show Answer
Supporting details: Toys are on the floor. Books are piled on my desk. Clothes are everywhere.
6. Butterflies are beautiful insects. They have colorful wings. They start as caterpillars. Butterflies drink nectar from flowers. What are the supporting details?
Show Answer
Supporting details: They have colorful wings. They start as caterpillars. Butterflies drink nectar from flowers.
7. Breakfast is important. It gives you energy for the day. It helps you focus at school. Eating breakfast keeps you healthy. What are the supporting details?
Show Answer
Supporting details: It gives you energy for the day. It helps you focus at school. Eating breakfast keeps you healthy.
8. The library is a great place. You can borrow books for free. It is quiet for reading. The librarian helps you find what you need. What are the supporting details?
Show Answer
Supporting details: You can borrow books for free. It is quiet for reading. The librarian helps you find what you need.
9. Spiders are helpful. They eat bugs like mosquitoes. Spiders make webs to catch their food. Most spiders are not dangerous to people. What are the supporting details?
Show Answer
Supporting details: They eat bugs like mosquitoes. Spiders make webs to catch their food. Most spiders are not dangerous to people.
10. I love my teacher. She is kind and patient. She makes learning fun. She helps me when I do not understand. What are the supporting details?
Show Answer
Supporting details: She is kind and patient. She makes learning fun. She helps me when I do not understand.
Check Your Understanding
Answer these questions about supporting details!
1. What are supporting details?
Show Answer
Supporting details are facts, examples, or reasons that tell more about the main idea and help explain it.
2. How are supporting details like table legs?
Show Answer
Just like legs hold up a table, supporting details hold up and support the main idea.
3. What questions do supporting details answer?
Show Answer
Supporting details answer: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?
4. Name three types of supporting details.
Show Answer
Three types are: facts, examples, reasons (also: descriptions)
Next Steps
- When you read, look for both main idea AND supporting details
- Ask "What facts or examples tell me more?"
- Go back to Finding the Main Idea if you need to review
- Awesome job learning about supporting details!