A good argumentative essay is usually constructed of a series of assertions that are then supported by evidence.  Sometimes this evidence is additional assertions, sometimes it is some kind of facts, data, or concrete examples, and often it is a combination of both.

There is nothing wrong with making assertions in your paper; after all, your thesis is usually one large assertion.  Your writing is usually less convincing, however, when you make asserttions that are not supported by some kind of evidence--facts, data, specific observations, expert opinion, or concrete examples.

This exercise is inteded to help you see the difference between assertions and evidence.

The photos below represent items found in the pockets of a man who was found unconscious on the sidewalk in downtown Baltimore on Sunday, October 1, 2000.  Study these images, and then answer the following question.  Send your answer to me in an e-mail message:
 

What kind of a man do you think these items came from.  Make at least six different statements about this man.