In a contract, which of the following provides evidence of each party's rights and responsibilities?

The written word and parties' signatures serve as the definitive evidence of each party's rights and responsibilities in a contract. A written contract clearly outlines the terms agreed upon by the parties, detailing what each party is obligated to perform or provide. The signatures of the parties indicate their consent to the terms laid out in the document, reinforcing its enforceability in a court of law.

Written contracts are generally preferred because they provide a clear and tangible record of the agreement, which helps to prevent disputes over the terms. In contrast, oral agreements can be ambiguous and difficult to prove in case of a disagreement. While witnesses may provide support in asserting that an oral agreement existed, they do not offer the same level of clarity and protection that written documentation does.

Moreover, relying solely on signatures without a comprehensive written context can leave the rights and responsibilities poorly defined and open to interpretation. Similarly, implied agreements made verbally lack the explicitness necessary for legal enforcement and can lead to misunderstandings about what was actually agreed upon. Thus, the combination of the written word and the parties' signatures stands as the most solid foundation for establishing clear rights and duties within a contract.