Advice For Taking the Take-Home Exam

ADVICE FOR WRITING THE TAKE-HOME EXAM

1.After reading the assignment, draw up an outline for your essay. Make sure that your outline addresses each of the various questions asked, and then, in writing your essay, carefully follow the outline. When you are finished with a draft of your essay, reread the assignment and make sure that your essay fully addresses every part of it.

2. When discussing any philosophical view, explain what the view is. Don't just assume that your reader knows the various technical terms which you are using.

3. When you claim that a philosophical view has a certain consequence, show how that consequence follows from your own characterization of the view.

4. In writing your essay, imagine it being read by someone (say, a roommate) who hasn't been in class and has no background in philosophy. An intelligent reader with no background in this area at all should be able to understand your essay completely.

5. Make sure you spell-check and proofread your essay. Make sure that your writing is clear and that you succeed in expressing just what you want to say.