The document discusses major and minor details that support a main idea in a text. Major details are general ideas that support the main idea, such as reasons or points in an argument. Minor details provide specific examples, details, or statistics that illustrate the major details. Signal words can help identify major details like "first" or "furthermore" and minor details such as "for example" or "to illustrate".

1. Major and Minor Details An introduction

2. Supporting Details There are two types of supporting details in a text: Major Details Minor Details Not all texts have both major and minor details.

3. Major Details Minor Details General ideas that support the main idea of the text. Reasons Points in an argument Points of a comparison Further elaboration of a main idea Specifics that illustrate of support the major details of a text. Examples Specific Details Specific Instances Statistics

4. Key Questions Who or what is the passage about? (Topic) What is the author trying to convey about the topic? (Main Idea) What reasons or points support the main idea about the topic? (Major Details) What examples, details, or statistics illustrate the ideas in the text? (Minor Details)

5. Signal Words Major Details First, Second, Third One Another Furthermore Moreover Next Also Finally Minor Details For example An example is For instance To be specific That is This means Case in point To illustrate

6. 1 One writer spent nine hundred hours over the course of eight years watching the action in singles bars and learning about male-female relationships. 2 Although men think of themselves as the aggressors, says this writer, it is really the women who make the decisions when a courtship is beginning. 3 He has observed that women are the ones who pick a potential mate out of the crowd. 4 They position themselves near the man they have selected and, with a glance or a smile, invite him to make contact. 5 Similarly as conversation begins, the woman initiates each increasingly intimate stage. 6 Her continuing eye contact, moving closer, and touching the man all signal her permission for him to make further advances. 7 In most cases, the woman’s signals are so subtle that the man is only subconsciously aware of them .

7. Outline Preparing an outline shows a relationship between the main idea and the supporting details. Outlines start with a main idea followed by supporting details: Major and Minor

8. Outlining Tips Look for words that tell you a list of details is coming. Common List Words: Several kinds A number of Four steps Various causes A series of Among the results A few reasons Three factors Several advantages

9. Tip: Look for words that signal Major Details One First (of all) Second(ly) Third(ly) To begin with For one thing Also Another Next In addition Moreover Further Furthermore Last(ly) Final(ly)

10. Topic Main Idea Male-Female Relationships Although men think of themselves as the aggressors, says this writer, it is really the women who make the decisions when a courtship is beginning.

11. Major Details He has observed that women are the ones who pick a potential mate out of the crowd. Similarly as conversation begins, the woman initiates each increasingly intimate stage. Locate the final major detail

12. Minor Details They position themselves near the man they have selected and, with a glance or a smile, invite him to make contact. Locate the final minor detail