Reading: Reading for Detail (Complex Texts)
B2 Lesson 1: Understanding Complex Arguments, Viewpoints, and Supporting Details
Reading Like a Critic
At the B2 level, reading for detail means analyzing *how* an author builds their argument. It's not just about what they say, but how they support their claims. A strong argument is supported by different types of evidence3.
Today, we will learn to identify an author's complex argument1 and recognize the different kinds of supporting details they use to make their viewpoint2 convincing.
Part 1: Types of Supporting Evidence
Authors use different kinds of details to support their main idea. Look for these three common types:
| Type of Evidence | What It Is |
|---|---|
| Facts & Statistics4 | Information that can be proven true, often involving numbers, dates, and data. |
| Examples & Anecdotes | Specific cases or short personal stories that illustrate a point. |
| Expert Opinion5 | A quote or statement from a person or organization with special knowledge on the topic. |
Practice with an Argumentative Text
Let's analyze this article about online reviews.
The Double-Edged Sword: Online Reviews and Kampot's Small Businesses
In recent years, platforms like Google Maps, TripAdvisor, and travel blogs have dramatically changed how tourists discover local businesses. For a town like Kampot, with its many family-run guesthouses and restaurants, this digital shift presents both a huge opportunity and a significant risk. While these platforms can bring in new customers, they also have the power to damage a reputation with a single negative post. Therefore, it is essential for local business owners to develop a new level of digital literacy to navigate this modern landscape.
The positive impact is undeniable. For example, a small, family-owned restaurant hidden in a back street might be 'discovered' by a travel blogger. The blogger writes a glowing review, and within weeks, the restaurant is filled with new customers from all over the world, dramatically increasing the family's income. This word-of-mouth, now amplified by the internet, is a powerful tool for small entrepreneurs.
However, the risks are just as significant. According to international studies on consumer behavior, a series of negative reviews can decrease a small business's revenue by up to 25%. A single unfair review, perhaps written in anger by a competitor, can stay online forever. The leader of Kampot's Business Association stated, "Our members are worried. They are experts at cooking or hospitality, not at managing online reputations."
Guided Analysis
- Author's Main Argument: The last sentence of the intro gives the thesis: Online reviews are both good and bad, so local owners must learn to manage them.
- Evidence in Paragraph 2: How does the author show the positive impact?
→ They use an Example (a short story about a family-run restaurant). - Evidence in Paragraph 3: How does the author show the risks?
→ They use a Statistic ("decrease... by up to 25%") and an Expert Opinion (the quote from the Business Association leader).
Your Turn to Analyze!
Practice Quiz
Read the sentences and identify the type of evidence.
1. "My friend's trip to the coast was ruined by the plastic waste on the beach. He told me he saw more plastic bags than seashells."
What type of supporting detail is this?
- A. A Statistic
- B. An Expert Opinion
- C. An Example / Anecdote
Answer: C. This is a short, personal story (anecdote) used as an example.
2. "A 2024 report from the Ministry of Tourism showed that international arrivals increased by 15% last year."
What type of supporting detail is this?
- A. A Fact / Statistic
- B. An Example / Anecdote
- C. An Opinion
Answer: A. It provides verifiable data (a percentage from a specific report), making it a fact/statistic.
Vocabulary Glossary
-
Complex Argument (noun phrase)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: ទឡ្ហីករណ៍ស្មុគស្មាញ
A main point or claim that is detailed and has multiple parts or conditions. ↩ back to text -
Viewpoint (noun)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: ទស្សនៈ
An author's personal perspective, position, or angle on a topic. ↩ back to text -
Supporting Evidence (noun phrase)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: ភស្តុតាងគាំទ្រ
The different types of information used to prove an argument. ↩ back to text -
Statistic (noun)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: ស្ថិតិ
A fact that is presented in number form (e.g., percentages, amounts). ↩ back to text -
Expert Opinion (noun phrase)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: ទស្សនៈអ្នកជំនាញ
A statement or quote from a person or organization with special, credible knowledge. ↩ back to text
Homework Task
Be a Critical Reader!
Find an opinion or editorial article in English online (from a source like BBC, The Guardian, etc.). Read it carefully.
- Write down the author's main argument in one sentence.
- Find at least two different types of supporting evidence the author uses.
- Write them down and label them (e.g., "This is a statistic," "This is an example.")