Property A:

Procedures For Submitting Sample Exam Answers For My Review

(1) Overview: Each student in the class is entitled to write two answers to old exam questions under exam conditions and submit them for my review. Below you will find the rules and procedures for submitting these answers and lists of questions to choose from that I will update as we cover additional material. Once I’ve had a chance to review your answers, I’ll either give you written feedback or set up a meeting to talk to you about your work in person.

(2) Rules for Submission:

(a) Formatting and Transmission

  • Your answers should be sent to me as Microsoft Word documents attached to an e-mail. If you initially handwrite your answer, please have it typed into the Word document before submitting it.
  • Please indicate clearly on the first page of the document your name and the question you are answering.
  • For this submission, I don’t care about internal formatting (line-spacing, font size, etc.). I will reformat anyway to make it easy for me to read and grade it.

(b) If You Wish to Submit Two Answers for Review:

  • From the lists below, choose either two short questions or one short question and one long question.
  • Submit your first answer by Saturday March 14 @ Noon
  • Submit your second answer by Saturday April 18 @ Noon

(c) If You Are Submitting Only One Answer for Review

  • Submit your answer by Saturday April 18 @ Noon
  • From the lists below, choose any question, short or long.

(3) Suggestions for Writing the Answers

(a) Preparation/Studying:

i) Substantive: Before you sit down to write, spend time pulling together the substantive material underlying the question you’re going to answer. You might find it useful to try to do the relevant portion of an outline as part of your preparation. Also, keep an eye out for Information Memos on each Chapter (coming soon), which will provide a variety of helpful information about the subject matter.

ii) Exam Technique: If you didn’t see my Exam Tips Workshop in the fall, you may want to watch a recording of one of those sessions or at least look through the relevant slide presentation (links to both are on our Course Page). Also take a look at the write-ups of Review Problems and old Exam Questions as they become available, to get a sense of what I’m looking for.

(b) Writing “Under Exam Conditions”

  • On your final exam, you will have one hour to read, take notes and outline, and then three hours to write your answers on your laptop or in bluebooks. To partially replicate this, I have indicates suggested reading and writing periods for each question below. If it says (5/20) next to the question, it means read & outline for about 5 minutes, then write for 20. (15/60) means read and outline for 15 minutes, then write for an hour.
  • Where possible, use the whole time allotted without any interruptions. Find a secluded quiet place to write your exam and turn off your devices.
  • Have the syllabus available as it will be for the test, but put away all other materials.
  • Don’t try to write elegantly. Treat your answer as a draft and try to get as many ideas on paper in the time allotted as possible. Use headings, abbreviations, bullet points to save time. Don’t try to edit your answer either while you are writing or afterward.

(4) Questions to Choose From (Chapters 1-2) (I will add more as I make materials for later chapters available).

(a) Short Questions

i) Short Problems or Portions of Issue-Spotters

  • Review Problem 1E (S9) (5/20)

ii) Portions of Lawyering Questions

  • Review Problem 2H(S33) (8/30)

(b) Long Questions

i) Opinion/Dissent Questions

  • Review Problem 2F(S31) (15/60) If you do this problem, you might wish first to skim some of the following material in the casebook to get a sense of the policy concerns related to using Eminent Domain to provide access to landlocked parcels: Note 8 (P189); DuPont (P796); Notes 2-4 & 8 (P800-05); Note 2 (P809)

ii) Issue-Spotting Questions (Will be Available for Chapters 3 & 5)