Supporting Evidence:

a.k.a. “Concrete Details”

Writing Series

Training #4

What is supporting evidence?

• Supporting evidence is the proof you need to support your thesis

• Facts, examples, evidence,

reasons, quotations, etc.

• Could use the transition “for example”

What is supporting evidence?An illustration

• If you told your parents you need money, they will ask, “Why?”

• The reasons you give them are your supporting evidence

• Note: They probably won’t give you money unless you give them factual proof that you need it

• What reasons would you give your parents to convince them to give you money?

What is supporting evidence?An illustration

List A:• I need it.• It will make me happier.• I will help more around

the house.

List B:• School lunches cost 50

cents more this year.• My teachers have been

very helpful and I would like to buy them each a little gift.

• I would like to go to a movie with my friends.

•Which of the following lists of supporting evidence

will probably get more money from your parents?

•Why is that list better?

What is supporting evidence?

• Before lawyers go to court, they have to gather supporting evidence to prove that their client is telling the truth

• The jury will most likely believe the lawyer with the best supporting evidence

• As a writer, you have to gather the

best supporting evidence so that

your readers will believe your thesis

Is Austin a good place to live?

Position: Austin rocks! Thesis: Families and singles should move to Austin because of the outstanding University of Texas, beautiful Lady Bird Lake, and delicious Mexican food.

Road map: UT, Lady Bird Lake, Chuy’s

Position: Austin stinks!

Thesis: It is surprising that anyone ever chooses to live in Austin because of its terrible traffic, dying malls, and high summer temperatures.

Road map: IH-35 at rush hour, Highland Mall, any large parking lot at noon in August

Question: Is Austin a good place to live?Thesis: Families and singles should move to

Austin because of the outstanding university, beautiful Lady Bird Lake, and delicious Mexican food.

Topic #1: University of Texas

Supporting Evidence:• Has $400 million for research every year• Library system is one of the top 10 research

libraries in the nation• In 2002, Sports Illustrated ranked UT #1 of the

nation’s athletic programs

Question: Is Austin a good place to live?Thesis: It is surprising that anyone ever chooses to

live in Austin because of its terrible traffic, dying malls, and high summer temperatures.

Topic #1: terrible traffic

Supporting Evidence:• 21.9 average commute time – ranked 39th in the

U.S. (U.S. Census Bureau)• IH-35 in downtown Austin is the busiest six-lane

section of highway in the state

What is supporting evidence?

Thesis: Although the deserts of the world have many similarities, they are vastly different in terms of temperature, vegetation, and size.

The 3 topics for the body paragraphs will be:

– Temperature

– Vegetation

– Size

What kind of supporting evidence would you need for a body paragraph on the difference in temperature in deserts around the world?

Let’s practice

• Read the following selection and answer the questions based on the text.

• We are practicing locating the main idea and supporting evidence/details.!!

• There are many different kinds of mice. Some are good swimmers; others like to swing from trees by their tails. And one kind, the white-footed mouse, is not only a good swimmer and tree climber, but it's also quite musical!

• (2)This minute, furry creature's body is about 8 inches (20 cm) long, with a tail of another 3 inches (7.5 cm). It weighs only about 0.8 ounces (23 g). It's been around North America for a long time; scientists have found 40- million-year-old fossils of the tiny creature's ancestors!

• (3)Some people call the white-footed mouse the "wood mouse" because it lives in so many wooded areas throughout North America. Other people call the white-footed mouse the "deer mouse." One reason is that its fur is the same colors as a deer's—soft brown on its back; white on its underside. Another reason is that the mice carry deer ticks that spread Lyme disease.

• (4)The whitefoot makes its nest almost anywhere. It likes a home that is warm and dry, like a hollow tree or empty bird's nest. But most of the time the whitefoot runs along the ground looking for food. It eats seeds, nuts, leaves, bark, and insects. It sleeps by day and looks for food at night—its long whiskers and big ears help it find its way in the dark.

• (5)Does the whitefoot really make music? In a way, it does because it often makes a humming sound. And it taps its little paws very fast on a dead leaf or hollow log to make a buzzing, drumming sound! Scientists aren't sure why the mouse is a drummer; it just is!

• (6)So the next time you're in the woods, walk quietly. There might be a white-footed mouse nearby, and you wouldn't want to interrupt a mouse in the middle of its song . . . would you?

1. What is the main idea of this selection?a.Deer are brown and white.b.The white-footed mouse taps its paws in a drumming sound.c.The woods of North America are full of mice.d.Scientists study the habits of mice.

2.Which is a supporting detail for that main idea?a.The white-footed mouse is also known as the wood mouse.b.The deer mouse may carry ticks that transmit a disease.c.The mouse taps on a dead leaf or hollow log.d.The white-footed mouse isn't very big.

3. Which would make the best substitute title for this selection?a."How to Build a Better Mousetrap“b."Concert in the Woods“c."Caution: Lyme Disease Ahead!“d."All about Rodents