A “zero draft” typically refers to an initial version or a preliminary draft of a document, report, or manuscript. It’s called a “zero draft” because it precedes the first official draft, which is often referred to as the “first draft.”
A zero draft is the very first attempt at organizing thoughts, ideas, and content, and it is usually a rough, unpolished version. It serves as a starting point for further revisions and refinements.
In various fields like writing, policy development, or collaborative projects, a zero draft allows individuals or teams to begin shaping their work before proceeding to more formalized drafts.