"discuss briefly" what would you consider brief?

[UrbanPoet]

i got this essay question due next week...
"It has been said that, “The twin pillars of the Canadian political system are parliamentary government and federalism”.
Describe each briefly and discuss some of the main features of a political system that combines the two, as Canada does, in a Parliamentary Federation."

What is considered brief? This essay is suppose to be 1800 words or lesss...
so would 500 words explaining parliamentary govt. and federalism be too much?

[hyperion]

To me briefly means 2-3 sentences. I hate it when we're asked to write more than the question needs.

[UrbanPoet]

To me briefly means 2-3 sentences. I hate it when we're asked to write more than the question needs.

really? federalism and parliamentary government is quite the subject for only 3 sentence... doesnt seem like much discussion. more like "state what it is"

[hyperion]

really? federalism and parliamentary government is quite the subject for only 3 sentence... doesnt seem like much discussion. more like "state what it is"

Oh, in your case I'd do 850-1100 words.