Here's a breakdown:
* Short Treatises: These can be as short as a few thousand words, focusing on a specific aspect of a larger topic. Think of a focused, in-depth essay.
* Medium-Length Treatises: These can be several thousand words or even tens of thousands. They delve deeper into a topic, exploring multiple facets and offering detailed analysis.
* Long Treatises: These are often referred to as "dissertations" or "monographs." They can run hundreds of thousands of words, comprehensively covering a subject with extensive research, argumentation, and evidence.
Factors Influencing Length:
* Complexity of the Topic: A complex topic naturally requires more space to explore.
* Level of Detail: A treatise can be concise or highly detailed, impacting its length.
* Target Audience: An academic audience might expect a more thorough and lengthy treatise than a general audience.
* Purpose: The goal of the treatise influences length. A persuasive argument may be shorter than a comprehensive review.
In essence, a treatise should be as long as it needs to be to effectively convey its message. It's about quality over quantity.
Example: A treatise on "The History of the Internet" could be:
* Short: Focusing on the origins of the internet (a few thousand words).
* Medium: Exploring the evolution of the internet across different eras (tens of thousands of words).
* Long: Providing a comprehensive history, including technological developments, social impact, and economic implications (hundreds of thousands of words).