When it comes to the process of writing, we often have to create several drafts of our work before arriving at the finished product. The term "rough copy" is commonly used to refer to the first draft of a written piece. However, there are a few other synonyms that can be used in place of "rough copy." Some of these words include "preliminary draft," "working draft," "initial copy," "draft manuscript," and "earlier version." These synonyms can come in handy when you want to vary your language or when you need to convey a specific meaning for each stage of the writing process.