Which term describes a writing assignment's initial version?

The term that describes a writing assignment's initial version is "draft." A draft is a preliminary version of a piece of writing, where the author conveys their ideas and thoughts in a structured manner, but it is not yet finalized. Drafting is a crucial part of the writing process, allowing writers to explore their ideas, organize their thoughts, and make revisions based on feedback or further reflection.

In contrast, an outline serves as a blueprint for the writing project, highlighting the main points and structure without the full text. A sketch generally refers to a quick, rough initial version of a concept or idea, often used in visual arts rather than writing. The final copy is the completed version that has gone through revisions and is polished for submission or publication. Understanding these terms helps clarify the different stages of writing and their purposes in the overall process.