Levin and Solomon both examined the topic of torture. What types of evidence do these writers use to support their theses? Why or why not is the evidence persuasive? Who presented the stronger argument? Why do you believe this to be the case?

• Levin mostly used anecdotal as well as statistics as evidence in his theses.
• Solomon used documentary, statistical, expert opinion, and specialized knowledge as evidence in his theses. 
• Levin's use of anecdotal, names, and numbers as evidence is more persuasive compared to Solomon's use of documentary, statistical, expert opinion, and specialized knowledge as evidence in his theses. 
• Solomon's thesis relies heavily on expert opinion as evidence to support his argument making it less personal.

Step-by-step explanation

• Anecdotal evidence is a type of evidence collected in an informal manner and relies heavily on personal opinion.
• Statistical evidence is a type of evidence where names of person, place, organization, etc, and date, time, measurement, etc. is used to support the idea or fact being expressed.
• Documentary evidence is a type of evidence taken from documents or records (speech, interviews, statements from relevant people, policies, laws, etc)
• Expert opinion is a type of evidence coming from an expert on the subject.
• Specialized knowledge as evidence is acquired through formal training
•  Considering that by nature, a 'persuasive thesis' should contain personal opinion and the argument why that opinion is true. Levin's use of anecdotal as well as statistical evidence makes his thesis more persuasive. Compared to Solomon's thesis, although in its own sense is still persuasive but is lesser because of his heavy use of 'expert opinion' as evidence making it sound less personal and more like a research article.