Final answer:
The writing process step that involves organizing your thoughts is planning, which precedes drafting and is critical for setting the paper's direction and structure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The step of the writing process that involves organizing your thoughts is planning, which is option B. Planning and organization are crucial early steps in the writing process. During planning, you devote time to considering the rhetorical situation, understanding your assignment, gathering ideas and information, drafting a thesis statement, and creating an organizational plan. This stage is before the actual drafting of your paper and is essential for setting the direction and structure of your work.