Technical Description:

Mechanical Pencil

City College of New York

Contents

1. Introduction: History and background information
2. Body
   1. Images and explanation of outside components:
      1. Tip
      1.  Lead sleeve
      1.  Body
      1. Clip
      1. Eraser
   1. Images and explanation of inside components:
      1. Graphite
      1. Lead reservoir tube
      1. Spring
      1. Chuck
      1. Chuck ring
   1. Ways how the mechanical pencil be used and benefits towards the audiences
3. Conclusion
4. References

Mechanical Pencil

There are various of methods of communication in the 21^st century such as texting, phone calls and email, yet the oldest method of communication is writing letters using a pencil and paper. As technology is evolving, so are the equipment use to communicate. Pencils have upgraded to mechanical pencils. The very first mechanical pencil was in 1565 by Conrad Gesner. Many years later in 1822, Sampson Mordan and John Isaac Hawkins invented an upgraded version of the mechanical pencil. Mordan and Hawkins improved the mechanical pencil by having a “mechanism that propelled the lead and whose lead could be replaced” (History of Pencils). Throughout the years, others have improved the mechanical pencil. Bic mechanical pencils are one of the most popular tools and this brand have many models making unique mechanical pencils. One Bic mechanical pencil is model MPLP241-BLK also known as BIC Xtra Sparkle Mechanical Pencil.

BIC mechanical pencil model MPLP241-BLK has 5 outside components and 5 inside components. The 5 outside parts of the mechanical pencil are the lead sleeve, tip, body, clip and easer. This specific model begins at the lead sleeve. The lead sleeve is the location in which graphite comes out of the pencil individually. Following the lead sleeve is the tip which is connected to the lead sleeve to make one whole part. The body is another component, the tip is twisted onto the body. The connection is necessary so that pieces of graphite comes out of the body only when needed. Attached to the body is the clip. The purpose of the clip is to clip on the pencil to a folder or notebook. Finally, the last outside component of the BIC Xtra Sparkle mechanical pencil is an eraser. The eraser has two purposes: one, not allowing lead to come out of the bottom of the pencil and two, to erase any mistakes written. Some people enjoy adding other parts to their mechanical pencil. These include another eraser and a grip. Additional erasers are added on top of the original eraser. The grip is an accessory located between the tip and body to make writing comfortable.

The mechanical pencil doesn’t only have outside parts but also inside. This is where the graphite is held. The chuck, chuck ring and spring all work together to transfer the graphite outside of pencil to be use. The spring and chuck ring are around the chuck so that when the top button is pressed down, the lead can come out. Located at the top of the mechanical pencil the eraser is pushed down causing a domino effect of spring engaging the chuck and chuck ring to lead the graphite out of the body (Quality Logo).

            Bic Xtra Sparkle Mechanical Pencil is the #1 selling mechanical pencil (BicWorld). This specific model is for everyday use such as standardized testing which is necessary to have a #2 pencil. There are various of colors to choose from such as pink, blue, purple, green and even orange. No need to ever sharpen a pencil again with 3 full length leads in each pencil (Target). An average box of 24 mechanical pencils cost $8.00 in any retail store (Walmart). Compare to other brands of mechanical pencils, the Bic Xtra Sparkle Mechanical Pencil is not expensive. The price varies from $2 to $7 depending on pack size. Competitors with the same pack size cost twice as much (Target). Money isn’t the only thing being saved but trees too. 1 Bic mechanical pencil = 2 ½ wood case pencil (90 mm) and it is scantron certified (BicWorld). Scantron tested the lead in this Bic Mechanical Pencil and found it compatible use on Scantron Genuine forms. Bic Xtra Sparkle Mechanical Pencil has a smooth writing lead with no smudge mark and easy to erase (BicWorld). There is no point on spending money on other mechanical pencils that will not do the job.

            Bic in the stock market is on a steady pace with no dramatic highs or lows. But, that will all change with the Bic Xtra Sparkle Mechanical Pencil. This is the number one selling mechanical pencil in the market. Investing in the brand and specifically, the mechanical pencil will cause stock numbers to rise. This specific mechanical pencil is affordable, popular among all ages, useful for all situations and more importantly eco friendly by saving trees in comparison to wood pencils.

            In conclusion, Bic Xtra Sparkle mechanical pencil is essential for everyday use. With the varies of components working together, no other pencil can beat it. The components are wisely put together to make the perfect object.

References

BicWorld. Retrieved March 20, 2019. https://us.bicworld.com

History of the Mechanical Pencil – Inventor of Mechanism. (n.d.). Retrieved March 20, 2019.  http://www.historyofpencils.com/writing-instruments-history/history-of-mechanical-pencils/

Mertes, A. (2018, September 12). The Anatomy of Pens and Pencils. Retrieved March 20, 2019. https://www.qualitylogoproducts.com/promo-university/anatomy-of-pens-pencils.htm

Target. Retrieved March 20, 2019. https://www.Target.com

Walmart. Retrieved March 20, 2019. https://www.Walmart.com

Self-Reflection: Technical Description

            The purpose of the technical description is to describe the different components of one item and persuade my audience to believe that my item is better compared to competitors. I put lot of time and dedication to this paper however, I believe that I fell short on some important aspects.

            Considering my audience is an important portion in my paper but I did not full fill this section. I had three audiences to consider: investor, store company, and a store customer. The investor I should have written more to that specific audience by including numbers and facts about the item. Such as stocks, money made per year and how many companies have it in store. This also goes to the companies buying the item. I added some interesting facts which may convince a company to have in stores. But I know I could have done more. However, acknowledging the customers I did well by adding many interesting facts and explained ways in which my object can be used in their daily lives.

            For this essay I followed the same strategy that I always do. However, I regret not having more people read my work and not reading others work. I read one classmate’s paper which helped me improve upon my own paper yet if I have read another paper, I would be seeing another form of writing. There was only one classmate that per reviewed my work. I believe this person didn’t try to find my flaws and only glimpse through.  This does not help me to improve my writing because I know I had many downfalls in my best draft, and I prefer my peers to be critical towards my writing.

            The theme throughout the paper was the same. But after rereading the paper myself I noticed a few times that I did not made sense or had a weird flow. This was in the introduction when I introduced mechanical pencils. “There are various of methods of communication in the 21^st century such as texting, phone calls and emails. Yet the oldest method of communication is with a pencil and paper. As technology is evolving, so is the tools for communication. Pencils have upgraded to become mechanical pencils.” At first this made sense to me but after reading it a few times I do not believe everyone will understand the flow. Other than this, I stood on task and followed all required steps.

            After peer review my peers told me that it was not necessary to include quotes and sources within my writing, to only paraphrase. However, I do not agree. The quotes have made my paper stronger and made the facts accurate.