A General Comment

Many of the assignments do not have a unique right answer. We look instead for effective marshalling of relevant evidence, logical connections between parts of an argument, answers to possible counterarguments, appropriate recognition of limitations on the evidence, anticipation of possible future evidence, absence of irrelevancies, and general coherence. Of course it is entirely possible to come up with a wrong answer, i.e. one for which it is impossible to meet the criteria above. Please use plain language whenever possible. The famous book Elements of Style, by Strunk and White, may help guide you.

The range of lengths specified for written assignments are to be taken as maxima as well as minima. The ability to make your argument concisely is an important skill. You should write only enough to make your case; each sentence should serve a function in the logical structure.