5c Developing paragraphs with supporting details
In addition to being unified, a paragraph should hold readers’ interest and explore its topic fully, using whatever details, evidence, and examples are necessary. Without such development, a paragraph may seem lifeless and abstract.
Most good academic writing not only presents general ideas but also backs them up with specifics. This balance, the shifting between general and specific, is especially important at the paragraph level. If a paragraph contains nothing but details, readers may have trouble following the writer’s meaning. If, on the other hand, a paragraph contains only general statements, readers may grow bored or may not be convinced.
A POORLY DEVELOPED PARAGRAPH
No such thing as human nature compels people to behave, think, or react in certain ways. From the time of our infancy to our death, we are constantly being taught by the society that surrounds us, the customs, norms, and mores of our distinct culture. Everything in culture is learned, not genetically transmitted.
This paragraph is boring. Although its main idea is clear, it fails to gain our interest or hold our attention because it lacks any examples or details. Now look at the paragraph revised to include needed specifics.
THE SAME PARAGRAPH, REVISED
A child in Los Angeles decorates a Christmas tree with shiny red ornaments and sparkling tinsel. A few weeks later, a child in Beijing celebrates the Chinese New Year with feasting, firecrackers, and gift money in lucky red envelopes. It is not by instinct that one child knows how to decorate the tree while the other knows how to celebrate the New Year. No such thing as human nature compels people to behave, think, or react in certain ways. Rather, from the time of our infancy to our death, we are constantly being taught by the society that surrounds us the customs, norms, and mores of one or more distinct cultures. Everything in culture is learned, not genetically transmitted.
Though both paragraphs make the same point, the second one comes to life by bringing in specific details.
Details in visual texts
Details are important in both written and visual texts. If you decide to use an image because of a particular detail, make sure your readers will notice what you want them to see. Crop out any unnecessary information, and clarify what’s important about the image, either in your text or with a caption. The first image above shows the original photograph. The cropped second image, which appeared on a blog about street food, makes the sandwich the center of the frame.
