Details are specifics, ideas, facts, or points included by an author that contribute to the author’s purpose and message. Students should understand that some details will not only support but also help to fill in understanding of the key idea. These details will tell a reader what is happening, who is affected, and why the idea matters or is being discussed in the first place. Other details cover fewer specifics and provide general information that adds to the background knowledge. When evaluating details, students should consider how a detail is being used in the text and whether it achieves its intended effect.

While reading, students should look for relationships between details and how they are organized so students can determine which key ideas the details focus on and support. If students are unable to figure out the key ideas in a text, they cannot then identify the overarching message of a text.