How do details support a central idea in an informational text?

Question

1. They link the central idea with ideas in other texts.
2. They help tell a realistic story.
3. They expand on an idea to make it convincing and engaging.
4. They expand a single central idea into a general topic.

Answer 1

1. Details are important to a central idea in an information text because they support that central idea. In this context, I'm assuming details refer to examples or further claims about the central idea. If so, they help make the central idea more convincing. For instance, if I am interested in working out and read that compound movements are important to building muscle, I will want more information. If I am new, I will want an explanation of what compound exercises are. Then I will want to see some statistics and get a physiological explanation for why that's the case. If I did not have that information, I would not have any reason to believe that central idea. Therefore, giving more details helps support the central idea.