Which of the following best describes supporting details in writing?

Supporting details are elements that provide evidence for the main point of a piece of writing. They help to clarify, illustrate, or strengthen the argument or claim being made. By offering specific examples, facts, statistics, or anecdotes, these details enable the reader to understand the main idea more fully and can enhance the writer's credibility.

In contrast, elements that distract from the main point do not contribute to the argument or discussion effectively, while summarizing previous points may reiterate ideas without adding new support. Introducing unrelated topics can confuse the reader and derail the focus of the writing, rather than reinforcing the central message. Therefore, supporting details serve a crucial role in effective writing by guiding the reader to a deeper understanding of the central theme or thesis.