What is a supporting detail?

A supporting detail is vital in building and reinforcing the main idea of a text. When a detail explains, clarifies, or enhances the main concept, it provides readers with a deeper understanding of the central message. For instance, if the main idea is that exercise is beneficial for health, supporting details might include specific examples of how exercise improves heart health or boosts mood, thereby illustrating and substantiating the main idea.

In contrast, details that contradict the main idea diminish clarity and undermine the reader's grasp of the text, while information that only summarizes lacks the depth needed to truly support or elaborate on the central theme. General statements that do not directly relate to the main idea fail to provide any relevant context, making them ineffective in supporting the overall argument or narrative. Thus, the correct characterization of a supporting detail is that it actively contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the primary focus of a work.