Here's a variant on this that is actually true: I took Professor DiCenzo's "History of Japan" course at Oberlin College, in we he assigned several 5-page papers. There were a variety of topics to choose from (or make up your own); one of those topics was "Zen". Professor DiCenzo was famous for saying "The first student who chose the 'Zen' topic and turned in five blank pages got an 'A'. You will get an 'F' -- please try to use words."