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

Topic outline

• Use of Articles
  • 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.

    
    

  • 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
    

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    Use of articles URL
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    Indefinite vs. Definite Articles URL
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    Countable vs. Uncountable Nouns URL
  • 

    Specific vs. Generic Information URL
  • 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

    
    

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

    View

    This video gives an introduction to the use of articles.
    

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    Exercise 1: Countability and the indefinite article Quiz

    Not available unless: You achieve higher than a certain score in Use of articles: preliminaries
  • 

    Video 2: flowchart for rule 2 URL

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

    This video explains the rule 2 for using or omitting indefinite articles.
    

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    Video 3: Countable and uncountable nouns URL

    Not available unless: The activity Video 2: flowchart for rule 2 is marked complete

    This video explains the distinction between countable and uncountable nouns and how it affects the use of articles.
    

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    Exercise 2: Countability and the indefinite article Quiz

    Not available unless: The activity Video 3: Countable and uncountable nouns is marked complete
  • 

    Video 4: Uniqueness URL

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

    This video explains the difference between unique and non-unique referencing, as well as discusses special adjectives and nouns.
    

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    Exercise 3: Special adjectives and nouns (the) Quiz

    Not available unless: The activity Video 4: Uniqueness is marked complete
  • 

    Exercise 4: Special adjectives and nouns (the) Quiz

    Not available unless: You achieve higher than a certain score in Exercise 3: Special adjectives and nouns (the)
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    Video 5: Previous mention and post-modifiers URL

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

    This video explains the concepts of previous mention and post-modifiers.
    

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    Exercise 5: Previous mention and modifiers Quiz

    Not available unless: The activity Video 5: Previous mention and post-modifiers is marked complete
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    Exercise 6: Previous mention and modifiers with review Quiz

    Not available unless: You achieve higher than a certain score in Exercise 5: Previous mention and modifiers
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    Exercise 7: Previous mention and modifiers with review Quiz

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

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

    This video explains the concepts of pre-modifiers and appositives.
    

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

    Not available unless: The activity Video 6: Pre-modifiers and appositives is marked complete
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    Exercise 9: Pre-modifiers and appositives (the) Quiz

    Not available unless: You achieve higher than a certain score in Exercise 8: Pre-modifiers and appositives (the)
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    Video 7: Shared and implied uniqueness URL

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

    This video explain how the writer's shared or implied knowledge affects the use of articles.
    

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    Exercise 10: Shared knowledge and implied uniqueness Quiz

    Not available unless: The activity Video 7: Shared and implied uniqueness is marked complete
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    Video 8: Generic meaning URL

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

    This video explains how the articles can be used in the context of generic meaning.
    

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    Exercise 11: Identifying generics Quiz

    Not available unless: The activity Video 8: Generic meaning is marked complete
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    Exercise 12: Review Quiz

    Not available unless: You achieve higher than a certain score in Exercise 11: Identifying generics
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    Exercise 13: Review Quiz

    Not available unless: You achieve higher than a certain score in Exercise 12: Review
  • 

    Exercise 14: Review Quiz

    Not available unless: You achieve higher than a certain score in Exercise 13: Review
  • 

    Exercise 15: Review Quiz

    Not available unless: You achieve higher than a certain score in Exercise 14: Review
  • 

    Exercise 16: Review Quiz

    Not available unless: You achieve higher than a certain score in Exercise 15: Review
  • 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.