What is the best purpose of the drafting stage in the writing process?

The drafting stage in the writing process primarily focuses on the act of putting ideas into written form. During this phase, the writer typically works to develop their thoughts, allowing creativity to flow without worrying about grammar or structure. While organizing ideas can be an important part of developing a story, the drafting stage specifically emphasizes the creation of content.

The best purpose of drafting is to build on ideas and begin the narrative, which aligns closely with developing a story's exposition. This is where the writer introduces characters, setting, and the main conflict. Thus, while organizing ideas is a useful tool often applied before drafting begins, the actual drafting process is where the writer translates those organized ideas into a narrative format.

This understanding clarifies that the drafting stage is less about refining or sharing content and more about fleshing out ideas through written expression. Therefore, the option that aligns best with the purpose of this stage is to draft the exposition of the story, as it captures the essence of transitioning from planning to actual writing.