How many supporting details should you develop to back up your thesis?
I don't know that there's a specific number. What does your text say?
My research reports have often asked for three supporting details in each body paragraph. But I don't know if this helps.
OK, so if you have a thesis, and you have 3 supporting details (topic sentences) for that thesis, and then your whole paper will consist of 5 internal (body) paragraphs (plus introduction and conclusion), how many supporting details do you think each of those 5 topic sentences will need?
Think in terms of an outline:
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/544/01/
Let me know what you think.
When developing a thesis, the number of supporting details you should develop will depend on various factors, such as the complexity of your topic, the required length of your essay or paper, and the depth of analysis you aim to provide. However, it is generally recommended to have at least three supporting details to effectively back up your thesis.
To determine the number of supporting details you need, consider the following steps:
1. Identify the main points of your thesis: Clearly define the main arguments or claims you are making in your thesis statement. These main points will serve as the foundation for your supporting details.
2. Determine the depth of analysis: Evaluate how much detail and evidence you need to provide for each main point. Consider the complexity and significance of the arguments you are making. If your thesis is relatively simple, you may require fewer supporting details. However, if your thesis deals with a complex topic, you may need to provide more extensive analysis.
3. Consider the essay or paper length: Consider the word count or page limit of your assignment. If you have limited space, it is advisable to focus on a smaller number of well-developed supporting details. On the other hand, if you have ample space, you can incorporate more supporting details to strengthen your thesis.
4. Conduct research: Once you have identified the number of supporting details you aim to develop, conduct research to gather relevant evidence, examples, statistics, or expert opinions that will support your main points. This research will provide credibility to your thesis and help you to build a convincing argument.
Remember, the quality and strength of your supporting details are more important than the quantity. It's crucial to choose the most compelling and relevant evidence to support your thesis and ensure coherence and cohesion in your overall argument.