Fill in the Blanks Supporting SentencesOnline version A short paragraph explaining what supporting sentences are. by Gabriela Berto 1 quotation factual terms topic examples explain Supporting sentences either or prove the topic sentence . Supporting sentences usually have one of the following functions : ? they provide specific and details ; ? they explain important ; ? they support the point made in the sentence , often with a or a paraphrase ; ? give to illustrate the point made in the topic sentence .