What action should you take to ensure that a pencil remains sharp during drafting?

To maintain a sharp point on a pencil during drafting, rotating the pencil is an effective practice. By regularly rotating the pencil as you draw or draft, you encourage even wear on the pencil point. This even wear helps to maintain a sharper tip for longer periods, allowing for more precise lines and cleaner details in your work.

While sharpening frequently can be beneficial, it may be impractical during extensive drafting sessions where multiple sharpenings can disrupt workflow. Using a mechanical pencil eliminates the need for sharpening entirely and offers consistent line width but can lack the tactile experience some drafters prefer. Pressing less hard on the paper might reduce the rate of wear on the pencil tip, but it doesn’t actively maintain sharpness like rotation does. Therefore, rotating the pencil stands out as the best strategy for keeping the pencil sharp while drafting.