Topic: Use of Articles | LC-1114 - Communicating Technology (o,w), Lectures, 31.10.2022-12.12.2022

Select activity The use of articles (a, an and the) is sometimes r...

The use of articles (a, an and the) is sometimes regarded as one of the most challenging aspects in the English language, and their difficulty arises from the subtle changes in the meaning caused by their use or omission. Perhaps no one fully understands their usage, but this does not stop us from trying to understand some their intricacies and develop our skills in using them.
This classification, or rule system, presented in this online module provides a practical approach to the use of articles. It aims to help you in understanding how, why and when to use a, an and the (and when not to use them). This module is based on the system provided in
Huckin, T. N., & Olsen, L. A. (1991). Technical writing and professional communication for nonnative speakers of English. 2nd Edition. McGraw-Hill.
Select activity Additional reading materialsSimilar contents prese...

Additional reading materials
Similar contents presented in the videos can be found in written form at the Academic Writing in English (AWE) website. See links below for main topics
Select activity Use of articles

Use of articles URL
Select activity Indefinite vs. Definite Articles

Indefinite vs. Definite Articles URL
Select activity Countable vs. Uncountable Nouns

Countable vs. Uncountable Nouns URL
Select activity Specific vs. Generic Information

Specific vs. Generic Information URL
Select activity Study materials: videos and quizzesThe module cons...

Study materials: videos and quizzes
The module consists of eight videos and sixteen exercises (quizzes). To pass this module, you need to watch all the videos and complete all the exercises. Each video and exercise builds on the contents covered earlier. Successful completion each quiz (65%) allows you to continue to the next activity.

Estimated workload: 3-5 hours
Select activity Use of articles: preliminaries

Use of articles: preliminaries Quiz
Select activity Video 1: Countable and uncountable nouns

Video 1: Countable and uncountable nouns URL

Students must

View

This video gives an introduction to the use of articles.
Select activity Exercise 1: Countability and the indefinite article

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Exercise 1: Countability and the indefinite article Quiz
Select activity Video 2: flowchart for rule 2

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Not available unless: You achieve higher than a certain score in Exercise 1: Countability and the indefinite article

Video 2: flowchart for rule 2 URL

This video explains the rule 2 for using or omitting indefinite articles.
Select activity Video 3: Countable and uncountable nouns

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Video 3: Countable and uncountable nouns URL

This video explains the distinction between countable and uncountable nouns and how it affects the use of articles.
Select activity Exercise 2: Countability and the indefinite article

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Exercise 2: Countability and the indefinite article Quiz
Select activity Video 4: Uniqueness

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Not available unless: You achieve higher than a certain score in Exercise 2: Countability and the indefinite article

Video 4: Uniqueness URL

This video explains the difference between unique and non-unique referencing, as well as discusses special adjectives and nouns.
Select activity Exercise 3: Special adjectives and nouns (the)

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Exercise 3: Special adjectives and nouns (the) Quiz
Select activity Exercise 4: Special adjectives and nouns (the)

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Not available unless: You achieve higher than a certain score in Exercise 3: Special adjectives and nouns (the)

Exercise 4: Special adjectives and nouns (the) Quiz
Select activity Video 5: Previous mention and post-modifiers

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Not available unless: You achieve higher than a certain score in Exercise 4: Special adjectives and nouns (the)

Video 5: Previous mention and post-modifiers URL

This video explains the concepts of previous mention and post-modifiers.
Select activity Exercise 5: Previous mention and modifiers

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Exercise 5: Previous mention and modifiers Quiz
Select activity Exercise 6: Previous mention and modifiers with review

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Not available unless: You achieve higher than a certain score in Exercise 5: Previous mention and modifiers

Exercise 6: Previous mention and modifiers with review Quiz
Select activity Exercise 7: Previous mention and modifiers with review

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Not available unless: You achieve higher than a certain score in Exercise 6: Previous mention and modifiers with review

Exercise 7: Previous mention and modifiers with review Quiz
Select activity Video 6: Pre-modifiers and appositives

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Not available unless: You achieve higher than a certain score in Exercise 7: Previous mention and modifiers with review

Video 6: Pre-modifiers and appositives URL

This video explains the concepts of pre-modifiers and appositives.
Select activity Exercise 8: Pre-modifiers and appositives (the)

Not available unless: The activity Video 6: Pre-modifiers and appositives is marked complete

Exercise 8: Pre-modifiers and appositives (the) Quiz
Select activity Exercise 9: Pre-modifiers and appositives (the)

Not available unless: You achieve higher than a certain score in Exercise 8: Pre-modifiers and ... ...

Not available unless: You achieve higher than a certain score in Exercise 8: Pre-modifiers and appositives (the)

Exercise 9: Pre-modifiers and appositives (the) Quiz
Select activity Video 7: Shared and implied uniqueness

Not available unless: You achieve higher than a certain score in Exercise 9: Pre-modifiers and ... ...

Not available unless: You achieve higher than a certain score in Exercise 9: Pre-modifiers and appositives (the)

Video 7: Shared and implied uniqueness URL

This video explain how the writer's shared or implied knowledge affects the use of articles.
Select activity Exercise 10: Shared knowledge and implied uniqueness

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Exercise 10: Shared knowledge and implied uniqueness Quiz
Select activity Video 8: Generic meaning

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Not available unless: You achieve higher than a certain score in Exercise 10: Shared knowledge and implied uniqueness

Video 8: Generic meaning URL

This video explains how the articles can be used in the context of generic meaning.
Select activity Exercise 11: Identifying generics

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Exercise 11: Identifying generics Quiz
Select activity Exercise 12: Review

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Exercise 12: Review Quiz
Select activity Exercise 13: Review

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Exercise 13: Review Quiz
Select activity Exercise 14: Review

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Exercise 14: Review Quiz
Select activity Exercise 15: Review

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Exercise 15: Review Quiz
Select activity Exercise 16: Review

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Exercise 16: Review Quiz
Select activity CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE REACHED THE END OF THE O...

Not available unless: You achieve higher than a certain score in Exercise 16: Review

CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE REACHED THE END OF THE ONLINE MODULE OF THE USE OF ARTICLES.

LC-1114 - Communicating Technology (o,w), Lectures, 31.10.2022-12.12.2022

Topic outline

Use of Articles

Additional reading materials

Study materials: videos and quizzes

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