A strong paragraph contains supporting ideas that explain or prove its main point. Whenever you write, you should make sure that your supporting ideas are effectivethat is, that they directly connect to the point you're trying to make and don't merely repeat your main idea. To do this, it can be helpful to ask yourself three things when writing and revising:

1.	What is the main point you're trying to make?
2.	Which ideas help you make that point?
3.	Which ideas dont help you make that point?

If you answer these questions, you'll be able to more easily determine which ideas help make your point and which don't belong in your writing. The following table shows examples of effective and ineffective supporting ideas.

Main Point: Cycling is excellent exercise.

Effective Supporting Ideas	Ineffective Supporting Ideas
Cycling will help you develop strong leg muscles.	Bicycles can be very expensive, and they can require a lot of maintenance. (This idea does not involve exercise.)
Cycling burns many calories per hour.	You can get a good workout by riding a bicycle. (This idea merely repeats the main point.)

As you've noticed, the ideas in the left-hand box relate directly to the main point. The ideas in the right-hand box, however, do not support the main point because they either don't speak about the exercise benefits of cycling or they merely repeat the main point.

Directions: The following table contains information for an essay about illiteracy (the inability to read and write). Which supporting ideas explain or prove the main point? Which ideas do not? Review each idea and indicate whether it is effective or ineffective.

Main Point: Illiteracy causes many people to feel anxious, powerless, and isolated.

Supporting Ideas	Effective	Ineffective
1. If you can't read, you can't exercise the right to vote because you can't read a ballot.
2. There are few good choices for political candidates.
3. Illiterate people likely experience anxiety over being asked to read in front of others.
4. People who can't read might sign consent forms without being able to read them, so they can't make informed choices.
5. Many people don't bother to read long forms.
6. Illiterate people can feel lonely from trying to keep illiteracy a secret.
7. People who can't read are unable to travel at will because they can't read road signs.
8. Illiteracy causes many people to feel powerless.