What aspect of an essay does supporting detail specifically address?

Supporting detail specifically addresses the evidence or examples that reinforce the thesis of an essay. These details are crucial because they provide the necessary backing to the main argument presented in the thesis statement. By including specific facts, statistics, anecdotes, or illustrations, the writer strengthens the overall credibility of the argument and helps the reader understand and accept the main idea.

The overall structure of the essay, while important, is considered a separate aspect from supporting details. The introduction and conclusion serve distinct purposes that encompass framing and summarizing the argument, rather than contributing specific evidence. The main idea expressed in the topic sentence pertains to what that particular paragraph discusses but does not encapsulate all the supporting elements that substantiate the broader thesis of the entire essay. Therefore, the choice highlighting supporting details as the evidence or examples that fortify the thesis captures their essential role in effective writing.