What is a Supporting Sentence?
A supporting sentence is a sentence that provides evidence, details, or examples to explain or develop the main idea of a paragraph. It's like a building block that helps the reader understand the main point.
Characteristics of a True Supporting Sentence:
* Directly Related to the Topic Sentence: It should focus on the same topic as the topic sentence and provide information that expands on the main idea.
* Provides Evidence: It should offer facts, examples, statistics, anecdotes, or other supporting details to back up the claim made in the topic sentence.
* Clear and Concise: It should be easy to understand and avoid vague or confusing language.
Examples:
Topic Sentence: Dogs make excellent pets because they provide companionship and love.
True Supporting Sentences:
* Example: They are always happy to see their owners, wagging their tails and greeting them with enthusiastic barks.
* Fact: Studies have shown that owning a dog can reduce stress levels and improve overall well-being.
* Anecdote: My dog, Sparky, is always there to cheer me up when I'm feeling down, and his playful nature brings joy to my life.
What's NOT a True Supporting Sentence:
* Going off-topic: "The weather has been strange lately." (Doesn't relate to dogs as pets)
* Repetition: "Dogs are great pets because they are great pets." (Doesn't offer new information)
* Too Vague: "Dogs are really good." (Doesn't explain HOW or WHY)
Key Takeaway: A true supporting sentence directly connects to the topic sentence, provides specific evidence, and helps the reader understand the main idea more fully.