draft an essay

USAGE SUMMARY

"draft an essay" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to write or create a rough or preliminary version of an essay, typically before the final version is completed. Example: "Before submitting your final essay, it is important to draft an essay to organize your thoughts and ensure that all key points are included."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Ask students to choose a topic that intrigued them during the warm-up and draft an essay, using Times Resources to help them.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

When I visit, he is drafting an essay on Lucian Freud, whom he had known since he was 18 years old and Freud was 20.

The Guardian - Arts

What subsidy is provided?" In free moments on the trip, Sexton was drafting an essay in which he proposed a new method for financing higher education: students would take out low-interest government loans, and, after graduation, pay the federal government a small percentage of their annual salary for twenty years, at which point the loan would be forgiven.

The New Yorker

In response to the problem he found with the local currency, he drafted an essay on coinage (MW 176 215) in which he deplored the debasement of the currency and made recommendations for reform.

SEP

Text in full sentences so that when you are drafting an essay or email, it will come naturally to type REAL words.

Huffington Post

Meanwhile, he sent George F. Kennan a draft of an essay he'd written for Foreign Affairs.

The New Yorker

As insurance, I write the "first draft" of an essay on three-by-five cards, typing sentences in no particular order, taking my own dictation.

The New Yorker

In a 2008 interview with PBS Hawaii, Judge King told of being approached by Randall Roth, a professor of trust law at the University of Hawaii, who showed him a draft of an essay, which the judge called "good stuff".

The New York Times

"Your study," he carped in 1938, referring to a yet another draft of an essay drawn from "The Arcades Project," "is located at the crossroads of magic and positivism".

The New York Times - Books

Another time, he sent me the draft of an essay of his about John Maynard Keynes, and we had a long exchange about the immortality of money, the mortality of humans, income inequity, and the capitalist elite's apparent efforts to avoid having an economy with full employment.

The New Yorker

I was motivated to write the present entry after reading an early draft of an essay by William Demopoulos.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Start by outlining your essay to structure your thoughts before you "draft an essay". This will help you stay focused and organized throughout the writing process.

Common error

Avoid spending too much time perfecting the first draft. The goal is to get your ideas on paper; you can refine and edit later. Focus on content and structure first, then polish the language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "draft an essay" functions as an imperative instruction, urging the listener or reader to begin the process of creating a preliminary version of a written composition. As seen in Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used in educational contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

27%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "draft an essay" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that means to create a preliminary version of an essay. Ludwig's analysis confirms its common usage across various contexts, including news, science, and wiki sources. To effectively "draft an essay", start with an outline, avoid over-editing early on, and focus on capturing your main ideas. Remember, the initial draft is just a stepping stone to the final, polished piece.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

write a draft of an essay

Focuses on the action of writing a preliminary version, adding more details about the writing process.

prepare an essay draft

Emphasizes the preparation stage before the actual writing, suggesting planning and organization.

compose an essay draft

Highlights the creative aspect of forming the initial version of an essay.

outline an essay

Focuses on creating a structural framework before writing the full essay.

sketch out an essay

Implies a rough and quick initial creation of the essay, focusing on key points.

develop a preliminary essay

Highlights the development of an early version, suggesting further refinement later.

formulate an essay outline

Stresses the planning and structural design phase of the essay.

create a first version of an essay

Emphasizes the creation of the initial version, with an understanding that revisions will follow.

produce an essay draft

Focuses on the act of generating a draft, highlighting the output of the writing process.

work on an essay draft

Suggests the effort and ongoing process of developing a draft, rather than just creating it.

FAQs

How can I improve my ability to "draft an essay" quickly?

Improving your ability to "draft an essay" quickly involves consistent practice and strategic planning. Start by creating detailed outlines, practice freewriting to generate ideas, and set time limits for each stage of the writing process. Regular writing exercises can enhance both speed and clarity.

What is the difference between "drafting an essay" and writing a final essay?

The key difference lies in the purpose and level of refinement. "Drafting an essay" is about getting initial ideas and structure on paper without focusing on perfection. Writing a final essay involves refining the draft, polishing the language, and ensuring the content is accurate and well-supported.

What are some effective strategies for "drafting an essay" when I have writer's block?

When facing writer's block, try techniques like brainstorming, mind mapping, or starting with the easiest section first. You might also find it helpful to take a short break, change your writing environment, or discuss your topic with someone else to gain new perspectives. Don't worry about perfection in the initial draft; focus on getting something on paper.

What should I include in my initial "essay draft"?

In your initial "essay draft", focus on including all your key arguments, supporting evidence, and a clear thesis statement. Don't worry too much about perfecting the language or grammar at this stage. The goal is to create a comprehensive framework that you can refine later.