Early Draft:
* Structure: May have a rough outline, or might just be a stream of thoughts, ideas, and notes.
* Content: Ideas are explored but may not be fully developed or organized.
* Style: May be informal, with sentences and paragraphs unfinished.
* Grammar/Punctuation: Errors are common and not yet focused on.
Mid-Draft:
* Structure: More organized, likely with clear sections and headings.
* Content: Ideas are more developed and supported with evidence.
* Style: More formal, with sentences and paragraphs starting to flow.
* Grammar/Punctuation: Errors are still present, but the writer is starting to pay attention to them.
Final Draft:
* Structure: Well-organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
* Content: Ideas are thoroughly developed and supported with strong evidence.
* Style: Formal and engaging, using clear and concise language.
* Grammar/Punctuation: Minimal errors, and those present are easily correctable.
General Features of a Draft Paper:
* Handwritten or Typed: Drafts can be written by hand, typed, or a combination of both.
* Not Polished: Drafts will likely have typos, grammatical errors, and awkward phrasing.
* Sections May Be Incomplete: It's common for drafts to have incomplete sections or missing details.
* Comments and Notes: Writers often add comments and notes to their drafts to remind themselves of things they need to add or change.
Example of a Draft Paragraph:
>*The effects of climate change are becoming increasingly evident around the world. Rising sea levels are threatening coastal communities, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe, and the Arctic ice caps are melting at an alarming rate. Scientists agree that these changes are caused by human activity, primarily the burning of fossil fuels, which releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat and cause the Earth's temperature to rise. *
*This paragraph might be part of a draft paper about the effects of climate change. It presents some general information and introduces the topic, but it could be improved by adding more specific examples, evidence, and analysis.*
Remember:
A draft is not the finished product. It's a chance to explore your ideas, develop your arguments, and make sure your writing is clear and coherent. Don't be afraid to experiment, make mistakes, and revise your work as needed.