Support is the evidence, examples, or facts that show, explain, or prove your main point. Primary support points are the major ideas developed in the paragraphs that make up the body of your essay. Supporting details are the specifics that explain your primary support to your readers.
For more on primary support points and supporting details, see Chapter 3.
When you read your draft essay, ask yourself: Do you provide enough information for your reader to understand the main point? Do you present enough evidence to convince your reader of that point? Look for places where you could add more support and detail, and examine your writing for obvious biases or errors in logic (see “2 PR Pause to Think”).
Read the two paragraphs that follow, and note the support the writer added to the second one. Notice that she did not simply add to the paragraph; she also deleted some words and rearranged others to make the story clearer to readers. The additions are underlined; the deletions are crossed out.
This morning I learned that my local police respond quickly and thoroughly to 911 calls. I meant to dial 411 for directory assistance, but by mistake I dialed 911. I hung up after only one ring because I realized what I had done. A few seconds after I hung up, the phone rang, and it was the police dispatcher. She said that she had received a 911 call from my number and was checking. I explained what happened, and she said she had to send a cruiser over anyway. Within a minute, the cruiser pulled in, and I explained what happened. I apologized and felt stupid, but I thanked him. I am glad to know that if I ever need to call 911, the police will be there.
REVISED TO ADD SUPPORT AND DETAIL
This morning I tested the 911 emergency system and found that it worked perfectly. Unfortunately, the test was a mistake. learned that my local police respond quickly and thoroughly to 911 calls. I meant to dial 411 for directory assistance, but without thinking by mistake I dialed 911. I frantically pushed the disconnect button hung up after only one ring because I realized my error. what I had done. As I reached for the phone to dial 411, A few seconds after I hung up, . it rang like an alarm. the phone rang, and it was the police dispatcher. . The police dispatcher crisply announced She said .that she had received a 911 call from my number and was checking. I laughed weakly and explained what happened, hoping she would see the humor or at least the innocent human error. Instead, the crispness of her voice became brittle as and she said she had to send a cruiser over anyway. I went to meet my fate. Within a minute, the cruiser pulled in, and a police officer swaggered toward me. I explained what had happened, apologized, and thanked him humbly. I felt guilty of stupidity, at the least. and felt very stupid, but I thanked him. We learn from our mistakes, and in this case I am glad to know that if I ever need to call 911, the police will be there.