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General Rules
1. Write legibly. This enhances the goodwill of the corrector tremendously.
1.a. Use a ruler for your graphs.
1.b. Draw your graphs larger than stamp size.
2. Write complete and (grammatically and orthographically) correct sentences.
2.a. Label the axes and lines in your graphs.
2.b. Don't let your indifference curves cross (see Micro Elements, 180.102).
3. Make the logic of your thoughts clear; use short sentences.
3.a. Just drawing graphs is not enough, you have to explain what is happening.
4. Stick to the question (the corrector will see through evasive tactics/BS).
5. Economize (i.e., don't write more than you have to; this saves you and
the corrector time).
Specific Rules
1. Answer a question as if you were explaining the answer to a classmate
who missed that lesson. (i.e., you can assume some prior knowledge of economics
(180.102) but you have to demonstrate a good understanding of the main
steps and the logic of the argument).
2. You have to demonstrate to the corrector that you can use the tools
and models that you have seen in class and that you are able to apply them
to the situation at hand.
3. An answer without explanation is not worth very much (you are expected
to have understood the material; memorization is not the aim).
4. Explain what is happening step by step and then give your conclusion,
rather than putting the conclusion at the beginning. This can prevent you
from wrongly twisting your argument in order to fit the result you initially
thought was right.
5. In theory, you can answer any question without the use of graphs.
It is a good idea, however, to draw graphs for the following reasons:
- it helps you formulate the answer and get the logic of the argument right.
- if your answer is not fully accurate you give the corrector an excuse
to give you some points.
6. Beware: Think first! Don't use the wrong graph(s) or model(s) for a
question.
7. The answers to some questions may not be immediately evident to you.
Don't panic! Determine which model is applicable to the situation depicted.
Then take one step at a time and explain what is happening. If you have
truly understood the material you should always be able to come up with
the answer.
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