Types of details Facts- information that can be proven

Fact: The first Super Bowl took place in 1967 in which the Green Bay Packers played the Kansas City Chiefs.

Statistics- numbers about a specific topic

Statistics: 31 percent of teen drivers killed in 2006 had been drinking, according to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Association.

Examples- statements that illustrate a main point

Examples: There are many genres in film making, there is action, horror and drama to name a few.

Anecdotes- brief stories

Anecdotes: My daughter has many technological advantages that I did not have while growing up. As a child, I remember playing Atari; she now plays an interactive Wii. Technology has come a long way.

Quotations- people’s statements repeated word for word

Quotations: You can achieve anything you set your mind to. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

Definitions- give the meaning of unfamiliar terms

Definitions: Dictionaries are books in which you can find definitions to every word in the English language; they are useful when writing essays.

Reasons- answer why and can explain or justify ideas

Reasons: Tupac Shakur is one of the greatest contemporary poets of all time because he was able to capture the voice and difficulties of today’s youth in his lyrics and poetry.

Comparisons- address similarities or differences between two things

Comparisons: High school is similar to any work environment. You are constantly trying to impress someone; all you want is to get acknowledged, and you actually have to work in order to advance.