Before drafting comes thinking.
Outlining immediately precedes drafting.
The stage that immediately precedes drafting is pre-writing. This is also known as brainstorming where outlining, diagramming, or whatever other thought organization takes place before writing a draft.
Outlining
Identifying key words in the assignment
Drafting.
drafting
"while drafting" most likely means while writing. Drafting is a term that refers to the process of writing and editing.
Be careful of extraneous words: it is called "writing" not "the writing process."
prewriting and drafting
APEX U.S.M.C.C.Prewriting, Drafting, Editing, Revising
There are five steps of the writing process. Prewriting, drafting, revising, proofreading and publishing are all important steps to be successful at the writing process.
Drafting, but I think that the real first step in writing any essay is research.