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

Use of Articles

• Use of Articles
  

  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
    

  • URLUse of articles URL
  • URLIndefinite vs. Definite Articles URL
  • URLCountable vs. Uncountable Nouns URL
  • URLSpecific 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

    
    

  • QuizUse of articles: preliminaries Quiz
  • URLVideo 1: Countable and uncountable nouns URL

    View

    This video gives an introduction to the use of articles.
    

  • Restricted Not available unless: You achieve a required score in Use of articles: preliminaries

    QuizExercise 1: Countability and the indefinite article Quiz
  • Restricted Not available unless: You achieve a required score in Exercise 1: Countability and the indefinite article

    URLVideo 2: flowchart for rule 2 URL

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

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

    URLVideo 3: Countable and uncountable nouns URL

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

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

    QuizExercise 2: Countability and the indefinite article Quiz
  • Restricted Not available unless: You achieve a required score in Exercise 2: Countability and the indefinite article

    URLVideo 4: Uniqueness URL

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

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

    QuizExercise 3: Special adjectives and nouns (the) Quiz
  • Restricted Not available unless: You achieve a required score in Exercise 3: Special adjectives and nouns (the)

    QuizExercise 4: Special adjectives and nouns (the) Quiz
  • Restricted Not available unless: You achieve a required score in Exercise 4: Special adjectives and nouns (the)

    URLVideo 5: Previous mention and post-modifiers URL

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

  • Restricted Not available unless: The activity Video 5: Previous mention and post-modifiers is marked complete

    QuizExercise 5: Previous mention and modifiers Quiz
  • Restricted Not available unless: You achieve a required score in Exercise 5: Previous mention and modifiers

    QuizExercise 6: Previous mention and modifiers with review Quiz
  • Restricted Not available unless: You achieve a required score in Exercise 6: Previous mention and modifiers with review

    QuizExercise 7: Previous mention and modifiers with review Quiz
  • Restricted Not available unless: You achieve a required score in Exercise 7: Previous mention and modifiers with review

    URLVideo 6: Pre-modifiers and appositives URL

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

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

    QuizExercise 8: Pre-modifiers and appositives (the) Quiz
  • Restricted Not available unless: You achieve a required score in Exercise 8: Pre-modifiers and appositives (the)

    QuizExercise 9: Pre-modifiers and appositives (the) Quiz
  • Restricted Not available unless: You achieve a required score in Exercise 9: Pre-modifiers and appositives (the)

    URLVideo 7: Shared and implied uniqueness URL

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

  • Restricted Not available unless: The activity Video 7: Shared and implied uniqueness is marked complete

    QuizExercise 10: Shared knowledge and implied uniqueness Quiz
  • Restricted Not available unless: You achieve a required score in Exercise 10: Shared knowledge and implied uniqueness

    URLVideo 8: Generic meaning URL

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

  • Restricted Not available unless: The activity Video 8: Generic meaning is marked complete

    QuizExercise 11: Identifying generics Quiz
  • Restricted Not available unless: You achieve a required score in Exercise 11: Identifying generics

    QuizExercise 12: Review Quiz
  • Restricted Not available unless: You achieve a required score in Exercise 12: Review

    QuizExercise 13: Review Quiz
  • Restricted Not available unless: You achieve a required score in Exercise 13: Review

    QuizExercise 14: Review Quiz
  • Restricted Not available unless: You achieve a required score in Exercise 14: Review

    QuizExercise 15: Review Quiz
  • Restricted Not available unless: You achieve a required score in Exercise 15: Review

    QuizExercise 16: Review Quiz
  • Restricted Not available unless: You achieve a required score in Exercise 16: Review

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