Remember
Ask yourself: “Does this support my controlling idea?”
Unless details directly support the topic sentence, they do not belong in the paragraph.
Paragraphs must have clearly stated controlling ideas.
Topic sentences must be supported with facts, statistics, personal observations and experiences, and/or testimony.
Avoid simply restating the topic sentence.
Details should directly support the topic sentence, not introduce new or irrelevant ideas.
A real solid base of supporting details allows the essay to stand out.
THESIS
Essays
float only if their details bear weight.
Support
Every paragraph adds weight to your main point;
Support your thesis with adequate & relevant details;
Build paragraphs with varied types of support;
Explain/show how the support connects.
Personal observations & experiences
Statistics
Sometimes the "I" is okay.
Facts and Opinions
Depending on the type of essay, your personal observations may or may not be proper.
Use statistics from reliable government sources, such as academic institutions, respected writers, or major magazines.
Make sure that the items being counted are clearly defined.
Consider alternative interpretations of statistics.
Make sure that you present enough statistics.
Use facts to balance personal observations and examples to add credibility to your opinions.
Keep your stories really relevant to avoid falling into the realm of "pointless conjecture"
"I know a guy who..."
"My friend's cousin's barber..."
Use facts from reliable sources that readers will recognize and respect.
Facts should directly support the topic sentence or controlling idea, not bring up other issues.
Testimony
Examples
Make sure that your examples are not exceptions.
If needed, explain who you are quoting.
Avoid using quotations from famous people:
Famous ≠ Correct ≠ Important
Provide more than one example, if possible.
Do not take quotations out of context.
Make sure that you quote people accurately.
Use examples that readers will recognize.
Place direct quotations in quotation marks.
BLEND
Because each type of support has strengths and weaknesses, writers often use more than one type in a paragraph to provide evidence for a topic sentence. Many types of support populate good essays.