Thread by @ojsalinas

Law students (particularly 1Ls): Finals are here. Remember to support your conclusions w/ analysis. Apply the law to the facts of the hypo for every issue you spot. Conclusory answers (conclusions w/out analysis) don’t get you a lot of points (if any). You can do this!
@unc_law

@unc_law The facts of the hypo are your friends. The facts are there to help nudge you (sometimes quite directly) to your analysis. If you are stuck on the exam and don't know where to go, first take a couple of deeps breaths. Then re-read the call of the question. Then revisit the facts.

@unc_law As you revisit each line of the facts, ask yourself: Why is this fact here? Have I applied this fact to any laws that we have covered in class? Does this fact or could this fact relate to something that we have covered in class?

@unc_law Also, pay attention to the number of questions on the exam and how much each question is valued (if provided). You want to spend more time on the questions that are more heavily valued (i.e., those questions that are worth more points).

@unc_law Sometimes, a professor won't say how much a question is worth in terms of points. But, the professor may say how much time to potentially spend on a question. That's a clue as to how much the question may be worth (a 2 hour question is likely worth more than a 30 minute one).

@unc_law Also, make sure to finish the exam. For example, if there are 3 ?s on the exam & each is valued the same, don't just answer the 1st 2 ?s. You can max out on points for the 1st 2 ?s, but you'll get no points for the 3rd if you don't answer it.

@unc_law Finally, make it easy for your prof. to read your exam. Aim for clear & concise writing. Short sentences. Paragraph breaks. Headings/subheadings. Walk the reader through your prediction by providing effective/complete legal analysis. And don't presume your reader knows anything.

@unc_law Students often say something like, "Why should I explain what negligence is to my Torts prof.? He/she knows what negligence is." Or, "Why should I explain why there is a breach of duty here? It's clear, & my prof. knows this." Those students don't score well on the exam.