Using Details & Examples
Good paragraphs support the topic sentence with specific details and concrete examples. Details answer what kind, how many, which features; examples give real instances. A clear diagram of major categories of details helps you organise before writing.
Example (details — a lease):
Landlords usually require a renter to sign a complicated contract called a lease. It stipulates the length of time the renter must stay and the amount of rent. It can limit the number of people allowed to live there and restrict pets. It may prohibit subletting and charge a fee if the renter breaks the contract. It also lists the landlord's responsibilities: heat, garbage removal, exterior maintenance.
| Topic sentence | A lease is a complicated contract |
|---|---|
| Detail | length of time |
| Detail | amount of rent |
| Detail | number of people / pets |
| Detail | subletting / breaking the contract |
| Examples | heat, garbage removal, maintenance |
Tip: Move from general (topic sentence) to specific (details and examples). Convert note-form details into full grammatical sentences when you write.
Common mistake: Staying too general ("A lease has many rules"). Name the actual rules — that is what makes a paragraph informative.
✏️ Test Yourself
1. "Length of time, amount of rent"
2. "Heat, garbage removal"
3. A paragraph moves from general to ___ .
4. Note-form details must be converted into full ___ .
📒 Words to learn
Meaning — To make something longer, larger, or more extensive.
“The law was extended to all citizens.”
Meaning — Difficulties, challenges, or misfortune, especially in one's life or circumstances.
“Adversity is not a curse.”
Meaning — A collection of diverse or varied things that don't belong to a specific category.
“There are miscellaneous fruits at sir Qayyim's garden.”
Meaning — To express strong disagreement or disapproval, often in a lengthy or impassioned manner.
“She always expostulates to me.”
Meaning — To sleep for a short period
“I napped while writing my home works”