In typewriters , a typist would , for example , type a lowercase letter `` a '' with acute accent ( Ã ) by typing a lowercase letter `` a '' then backspace , and then the acute accent key ( also known as overstrike ) . In typewriters , a typist would , for example , type a lowercase letter A with acute accent ( Ã ) by typing a lowercase letter A , backspace and then the acute accent key ( also known as overstrike ) .