Using the work of at least two metaphysicians from our reading make your best argument for your own basic metaphysical view. In your answer offer an account of (1) what it means to exist, (2) what basic characteristics apply to everything, and (3) why is there a universe rather than simply nothing?

You don't need to have everything figured out. Just present a case for your best guess as to the nature of reality as such. Is it best understood through categories like Aristotle thought or is some form of idealism better?

Basically, I'm asking you to be a philosopher here and make your best argument for a view. If you need to just pick a view at random and defend it - you don't need to really believe (strongly) in your view to make a good argument for it! (Lawyers do it all the time and in higher education we call this skill "critical thinking"

Merely stating your opinion is not suficient. Your support for your view is far more important here. Make an argument, with possible objections in mind, in order to try to convince me that you're right.