first draft
Unpolished early manuscript
A first draft is the initial version of a piece of writing, produced before revision or editing.
The term acknowledges that good writing typically requires multiple passes: The first draft was rough, but the ideas were there.
Writers sometimes call it a rough draft or, self-deprecatingly, a zero draft when it's particularly unpolished.
Original text before publication
- roughUneven in surface
- outlineSummary of key elements
- compositionArranged elements forming whole
- sketchHasty informal drawing
scribble · paragraphs · introduction · conclusion · narrative · argument · headings · subheadings
Revise text substantially
- polishSmooth by rubbing
- refineRemove impurities from
- reworkModify something already made
- editModify written material
revise · amend · modify · adjust · clarify · tighten · expand · develop
Abstract mental construct
- ideaMental formation
- blueprintDetailed technical drawing
- prototypeFirst functional specimen
- brainstormSpontaneous idea generation
inception · genesis · beginning · conception · initiation · framework · planning · proposal
manuscript
Original text before publication
- roughUneven in surface
- outlineSummary of key elements
- compositionArranged elements forming whole
sketch · scribble · paragraphs · introduction · conclusion · narrative · argument · headings · subheadings · formatting
rewrite
Revise text substantially
edit · revise · amend · modify · adjust · clarify · tighten · expand · develop · rephrase
concept
Abstract mental construct
brainstorm · inception · genesis · beginning · conception · initiation · framework · planning · proposal · vision
- design processbrainstorming, prototyping, concept, wireframe, sketches
- Prewritingbrainstorming, outlining, freewriting, mind mapping, mindmap
- unfinished workswork in progress, abandoned project
- Unpublished Worksmanuscript, outline, unfinished novel, demo, demo recording
- writingwriting, authors, author, books, authoring
- incompleteincomplete, unfinished, partial, fragmentary, half-done
first draftfinal version
Completed, approved iteration
finished product · definitive edition · final cut · finished article · master copy
first, draft, drafted, drafting, drafts, redraft, redrafting, redrafted, drafter