The document discusses the importance of supporting details in academic essays, emphasizing that arguments should be backed by facts, statistics, and quotations from credible sources. It differentiates between subjective opinions and objective facts, noting that while opinions can be presented, they must be substantiated with factual evidence. Ultimately, the piece underlines that objective statements are essential in academic writing, while subjective beliefs alone are inadequate.

1. Supporting Details
(Facts, Quotations, and Statistics)
by
Piet van der Laan

2. Supporting Details
When writing an academic essay your
ideas and opinions should be supported
with facts, statistics, quotations, etc.
You can get your supporting details from
outside sources such a books, magazines,
newspapers, websites, personal interviews, and
so on.

3. Supporting Details
Facts versus Opinions
Opinions:
Subjective statements based on a person’s
beliefs or attitudes.
Men are better drivers than women.
English is an easy lesson to learn.

4. Supporting Details
Facts versus Opinions
Facts:
Objective statements of truths.
Women live longer than men.
Cigarettes are addictive.

5. Supporting Details
Facts versus Opinions
Opinions are not acceptable as support. It is
acceptable to express opinions in academic
essays, however, but your opinions need to be
supported by facts.
Sometimes facts need proof.

6. Supporting Details
Facts versus Opinions
Opinions are not acceptable as support. It is
acceptable to express opinions in academic
essays, however, but your opinions need to be
supported by facts.
Sometimes facts need proof.