Amanda Goldie

Mr. Linden
October 22, 2018
Technical Writing and Research – COMM 1000

Analytical Essay Outline

Topic: Ratchet type mechanical pencil

1.0 Intro
1.1 Hook
Picking up a pencil and pressing the button seems so easy but is what’s inside as simple as
one may think?
1.2 Thesis
The innerworkings of the simple press of a button on a mechanical pencil.
1.3 Thesis support
Descriptions of pieces found inside the mechanical pencil with a break down on what each
part does for the over all pencil and how everything works together to make sure the led
does not fall out while writing.

2.0 Body

Topic sentence: what is a ratchet type mechanical pencil

2.1 The invention

1565 Conrad Gesner, invented very first mechanical pencil, still had to be manually adjusted
for sharpening
First lead propelling pencil 1822 by Sampson Mordan and John Isaac Hawkins
1877 spring loaded
1895 twist
1915 ratchet type, in America, Charles R. Keeran
2.2 What makes it a ratchet-type?
A button (usually an eraser) pushing down on a spring coil and a reservoir tube containing
lead which releases the lead into the 2-3 jaw chuck which locks on the lead to allow you to
write and put force on it without the lead returning into the reservoir.

3.0 Body

Topic sentence: what’s inside the pencil and how does it work

3.1 Lead reservoir tube

The reservoir is used to hold the lead inside the casing of the pencil
It can be found inside the length of the pencil
Photo

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Amanda Goldie
Mr. Linden
October 22, 2018
Technical Writing and Research – COMM 1000

3.2 Jaw chuck and chuck ring

Holds the lead in place while writing
Is activated by coil spring pressure
Chuck ring moves together with jaw chuck and locks jaws to hold lead
Located in the tip where led dispenses from the pencil
Photo
3.3 Lead retainer
Keeps lead in place, from moving freely inside the pencil
Keeps lead from falling out
Found at the tip where lead dispenses
Photo
3.4 Coil spring
Pressing the button depresses the coil spring
Chuck is stop from moving by fully depressed spring
Spring Is located between the pencils exterior casing and around the lead reservoir tube
Photo
3.5 Pencils button
The button (generally an eraser) is what makes all the pieces work together to move down
and release the lead
Pencil is at the top pf the pencil if it is an eraser but can also be found on the side in some
cases
Photo

4.0 Body
Topic sentence: lead variations
4.1 Different diameters
Leads come in different diameters depending how hard you press while writing can help you
decided what kind
Leads size are not interchangeable within one pencil
Chart off wiki
4.2 Different shades
Leads come in different shades
Lead shade should be chosen based on the use of the lead

5.0 Conclusion
Writing with a pencil is simple but inside is a series of mechanical devices placed together very
specifically to insure each time the user writes with it, it gets the job done.

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Amanda Goldie
Mr. Linden
October 22, 2018
Technical Writing and Research – COMM 1000

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