Distinguishing Evidence from Assertion

One of the most frequently tested distinctions in LNAT Section A is the difference between evidence and assertion. Authors use both to build their arguments, but they have fundamentally different logical status. Evidence can be verified; assertions cannot (or at least, not without further evidence). LNAT questions regularly ask you to identify which parts of a passage are supported by evidence and which are simply asserted — and to understand the implications for the argument's strength.

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Definitions

Concept	Definition	Example
Evidence	A claim that is supported by data, research, documented facts, or verifiable observation	"A 2022 study by the Institute for Fiscal Studies found that the poorest 20% of households spend a larger proportion of their income on energy than the wealthiest 20%."
Assertion	A claim that is stated without supporting evidence — the author expects you to accept it on the basis of their authority, common sense, or persuasion	"The energy market is fundamentally broken."

The Key Difference