When you substitute details for general statements or add details to general statements, you usually want to give as wide a range of details as possible. You want the details to give your reader an idea of many specifics that could be included in the general statement. Sometimes, however, details can detract from the matter at hand and distract or confuse your reader. Look at the details in bold in the following paragraph. Click on three of the bold details that seem to distract from the matter at hand.

Let’s try the same evaluation of details in another paragraph. Choose which of the two possible revisions in each set is best. Select either the details or, if details would not be an effective addition, the general reference. In some cases the details are not necessary but add color and make the description come alive. To determine whether a detail adds or distracts is a judgment call. Give it a try. Just remember that some of this is up to the author and the author’s own particular style.