Chapter 6 (Finding supporting details)

Chapter summary
Authours use details to help readers understand their ideas and arguments.Details are specific pieces of information that serve as the "arms and legs" of the main idea. They are usuallly presented as facts, opinions, examples, illustrations, explanations, or definitions and are frequently discovered by asking questions such as who? what? when? how? or why? about the main idea. Major details provide support to the main idea in a reading. Minor details clarify major details.
If you are able to distinguish between the major and minor suporting details in a reading passage, it means you have understood what you read. If you have trouble doing so, it's an indication you need to get assistance. It is also a warning that you may have difficulty if you are tested on the textbook information, even though you have "read"the material.
Knowing how to locate the main idea and the major and minor supporting details in a reading assignment is the foundation of college reading. It isn't possible, or necessary, to remember every piece of information in your textbook chapters. Being able to identify the main ideas and supporting details will help you evaluate what is most important and determine what you need to remember for tests.