International Writers’ Workshop

1. International Writers’ Workshop Week 3 – Principles and Practice of Using Articles: A, An, The Dr. Erica Cirillo-McCarthy Assistant Director of Graduate and ADEP Writing

2. Today’s Workshop: • Article Usage – definite and indefinite • Exceptions • Editing for Errors • But first – any questions on last week’s workshop – verb tenses and prepositions?

3. Why use A, An, or The? • Use it to signal to the reader that a noun is about to appear • Ex. The student, the essay, an airplane, a hike • The noun may come right after the article or there may be modifiers (adjectives) between the article and the noun • Ex. The exceptional student, the final essay, an older airplane, a long, winding hike

4. Using A or An – “one among many” or “any one” • Singular count nouns whose specific identity is NOT known to the reader (being mentioned for the first time or specific identity is unknown to both reader and writer) • Count nouns—persons, places, things that can be counted • A car, ten cars, a house, five houses, a meal, three meals • Ex. I want to go to a school that has diversity. • Ex. The students wanted the experience of living in a big city.

5. When do I know when to use A vs. An? • A is used before a consonant sound: a book, a car, a dissertation • An is used before a vowel sound: an exciting trip, an assignment, an occasion • Match the article to the following word, even if that word is the adjective and not the noun • Ex. An exciting vacation • Ex. A boring vacation • Ex. A vacation

6. When do I not use A or An? • Do not use A or An for noncount nouns that are without modifiers • Examples of noncount nouns: sugar, sand, knowledge, ice cream, rice, love • But sometimes you can use A or An with a noncount noun IF you want to express a specific amount: A or An + unit + noncount noun • Ex. A pound of sugar, a ton of sand, a little knowledge, a gallon of ice cream, a bag of rice, a lot of love

7. Using The – some basic guidelines • The noun has been previously mentioned • A phrase or clause following the noun restricts its identity • A superlative such as best or most intelligent makes the noun’s identity specific • The noun describes a unique person, place, or thing • The context or situation makes the noun’s identity clear

8. Examples: • Previously mentioned nouns: • A student asked her professor for writing feedback. The professor referred the student to the Writing Center. • Restrictive phrase or clause following the noun: • My classmates warned me that the case study assignment from Org. Behavior class would be a challenge. • Superlative restriction: • Southern California has some of the most beautiful sunsets in the US.

9. Examples, cont’d: • Unique person, place, or thing: • When heading to LA, I cannot avoid taking the 101. • Context or situation makes the noun’s identity clear: • Make sure you register for the foundations course in your program.

10. When do I not use the? • Do not use the with plural or noncount nouns meaning “all” or “in general” • Students all over the world are finding college more expensive. (Not “the” students because the sentence refers to all students) • Southern Californians seem nonchalant about an earthquake happening. (not “the” Southern Californians because the sentence refers to “all” Southern Californians) • Do not use the with most singular proper nouns • I will head to Whole Foods after work to pick up dinner. (not “the” Whole Foods)

11. Exceptions • Some plural proper nouns use “the”: • The Philippines • The United Nations • The Congo • The Pacific Ocean • The Persian Gulf • The Republic of China

12. Practice Exercises

13. Thank you! • Questions/Discussions