Details are specific ideas or information that a writer uses to explain or
support a main idea. While all details in a writing piece support the main idea,
not all of the details are equally important. The details that directly support
the main idea are called 'the major or key details; whereas, the details that
provide extra or additional information are called 'the minor details'. The
minor details directly support the major details; thus, indirectly support the
main idea.
The diagram below illustrates the relationship between the topic, main
idea and major and minor suppoding details.