Controlling Idea and Supporting Evidence

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What is a controlling idea?

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A controlling idea is the main point or argument that an author wants to convey in a piece of writing. It guides the direction of the text.

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What is supporting evidence?

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Supporting evidence consists of facts, examples, or details that back up the controlling idea or main argument in a text.

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How do you identify the central idea of a text?

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The central idea can be identified by determining what the text is mostly about, often found in the topic sentence or thesis statement.

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What is the difference between a topic sentence and supporting details?

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A topic sentence states the main idea of a paragraph, while supporting details provide evidence or examples that elaborate on that main idea.

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What does it mean to provide textual evidence?

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Providing textual evidence means citing specific examples or quotes from the text that support your claims or arguments.

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Why is it important to choose relevant supporting details?

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Choosing relevant supporting details strengthens your argument and helps clarify your main point, making your writing more persuasive.

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What is an example of a strong supporting detail?

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A strong supporting detail is specific and directly relates to the controlling idea, such as 'Professional athletes train for hours each day to improve their skills.'

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What is a weak supporting detail?

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A weak supporting detail is vague or unrelated to the main idea, such as 'Athletes have fun playing games.'

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How can you tell if a detail supports the main idea?

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A detail supports the main idea if it provides clear evidence or examples that reinforce the argument being made.

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What role does the conclusion play in relation to the controlling idea?

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The conclusion summarizes the main points and reinforces the controlling idea, leaving the reader with a final thought or call to action.