How To Add Supporting Details to Your Content

All articles you write for CopyPress should have supporting details throughout. We will test your ability to add supporting details to content during the writer onboarding process.


The more valuable, useful, relevant, and specific content is, the higher the chance it has of being shared. It's crucial to layer your content with valuable, supporting details that show instead of tell to engage readers.

Facts and Statistics

Don’t just tell the reader how it is. Give facts to back up your statement.

For example,

Telling: Many marketing professionals think emails are an important part of their success.

Showing: According to a 2023 Litmus study, 87% of marketers say that email marketing is critical to business success.

Only include statistics that mean something. People don’t remember statistics; they remember the relationship. Remember not to manipulate statistics to prove your point. Only use statistics to create and support your idea.

Examples

Give specific examples when talking about a broad subject.

For example, if you're writing about traveling cross country in an electric vehicle, don't just tell the reader to look up charging stations along the route. Show them ways to find charging stations in a list.

Telling: When you're planning your road trip in an electric car, it's a good idea to research charging stations along the way so you don't run out of juice.

Showing: There are several sites and apps that will help you plan your charging stops so you can get to your destination without running out of juice. Here are just a few tools to check out:

  • A Better Route Planner: ABRP lets you choose your vehicle, shows the charging station type, and gives the approximate time it will take to charge your vehicle at each stop. You can also add planned stops along the way to your final destination, making this a great tool for extended trips.
  • Google Maps: This popular navigation tool gives you the option to select EV charging stations along your route. Currently, it will show you charging stations along your route, but it doesn't give suggestions on when to stop, like ABRP.
  • Tesla Trips: Though it's designed specifically for Teslas, this tool can work for any EV. The charging stations and times are based on Tesla specifications, so keep this information in mind if you want to use it.

Visuals (Screenshots, Charts, Graphics, Images, Videos, Embedded Tweets)

Most people are visual learners, and online readers tend to gravitate toward mixed media. Adding images when you can (as long as the images are strong, high-quality, and relevant) will enhance the content.

If you're writing about millennials going out to eat, don’t just tell the reader what their eating habits are. Show them.

If you're writing about mental health, don't just say many people are getting treatment for illnesses; show them.

Telling: Mental health is becoming increasingly important for the population. Many people are seeking treatment for mental illnesses and conditions.

Showing: A majority of children ages 6 through 17 have received treatment for a mental health condition, according to this infographic from the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Additionally, 52% of mixed or multiracial adults, and 56% of lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults have sought treatment for their mental health.

Other Valuable Supporting Details That Show Instead of Tell

  • Quotes.
  • Key takeaways.
  • Metaphors.
  • Case studies.

You will need to do extra research to find these valuable, supporting details for your content. Some assignments contain resource links to show the type of content the client wants. These resources are a guide, and you should not rely solely on them to complete your assignment.

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