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IQ, FOOD-1, RD-2, E&P. No, it's not a code. Nor is it a list of names of famous robots. This is the answer to the mystery of how to do college essays. Read this sequence aloud two or three times and, I kid you not, you will probably never forget it.

Read on and I will be your Hercule Poirot and illuminate for you.

IQ: Identify a question
College essays, heck any essays, need a topic. So identify a question you want your essay to answer. Don't just choose a topic. If you identify a question, you are allowing yourself to learn and you will allow research to focus your topic. This is better than choosing a topic and then realizing it is too narrow or broad for your research to support.

F: Find sources and information
Now that you have a question, get after the information. You can do this by reading articles that are related. These articles can be found in periodicals or even online at sites like J-Stor. But avoid Wikipedia, as there is no real peer-review built into that site and thus it has no real authority. Remember to look at bibliographies of related articles in order to find more sources.

O: Organize
As you did research, you should have been taking notes. Now organize those notes. I suggest that you transcribe those notes to index cards. Then organize the cards into related groups and also into the order you want to use the information in your essay.

O: Outline
With your information cards organized, transcribe again but this time put this information into an outline. You want this outline, friends, because this is where you will first write a thesis statement and topic sentences. You will also be able to determine if a certain main point you want to make has enough research support as you fill in your outline.

D-1: Draft 1
A detailed outline makes writing that first, full draft much easier. All you really have to do is put your information into sentences, plug in appropriate transition words, and be sure to support your topic sentences well.

On the subject of topic sentences: Make sure each topic sentence refers specifically to the thesis statement at the beginning of your essay. Also make sure the topic sentence rules its paragraph with an iron hand; the content of each paragraph must support the topic sentence explicitly.

R: Revise
Revise means to work on ideas, content and organization. So don't edit your first draft, only revise it. Make sure you have enough support for each idea. Make sure your strong arguments come first. Be certain that your sentences flow well due to good use of transitions. Certify that your reader will be able to understand the logical organization of your essay.

D-2: Draft 2
When you have made notes about revisions, type up and print out draft 2. Hey, don't worry, you don't have to write the entire essay again! You already have your essay's foundation done; now you are simply adding to it and enhancing it.

E&P: Edit and Polish
With draft 2 in your happy hands, use your red pen or pencil and edit and polish your essay. Check for spelling, mechanics like punctuation and capitalization. Watch for run-ons and fragments. Make sure you are using words correctly.

Heck, you should even make sure your sentences vary in length.

This is a good time to have a tutor or friend look at your essay. Often these people are less invested in your essay and they will be able to find errors and problems better than you can. So tell them to be honest! When you have edited, print out a clean, polished copy and submit it with pride!

So there you have it: IQ, FOOD-1, RD-2, E&P. Say it one more time aloud and you will never forget it! The answer to the mystery of college essays; elementary my dear Watson!

Learn more about this author, Jared Garrett.
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