The document provides instruction on article usage, including 3 rules for avoiding common mistakes: use a/an/the with count nouns, use the for specific nouns, and do not use the for general nouns. It discusses the indefinite articles a and an, the definite article the, and when no article is needed. It emphasizes that the best way to improve article usage is through practice and offers a link to a practice activity.

1. Module 7 Topic 1 – Article Usage

2. Module 7 Outline Review of previous module Grammar: Article Usage Writing: Editing your own writing Writing Assignments Timed Writing: Operations Management / Performance

3. Review of previous modules At the bottom of this page, look for a link to upload your Module 6 feedback document after you have addressed the comments. I hope that you found the comments helpful. Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions. In order for me to provide useful feedback, I will need your best writing. Please make sure that you allocate enough time to complete all the assignments.

4. Review of the Passive Voice In addition to correctly using and forming the passive voice, you must also use the correct verb tense. When preparing the sentences to be included in the report for the Proposed Incentive Plan, there were two main sections of the report to consider. The first half described what procedures you had completed. These sentences should have been written in the past tense. For example: Managers were interviewed privately by independent researchers. The second half were recommendations. The present or future tense could have been used. As well as modals of advice such as “should.” For example: In order to further boost productivity, non-financial incentives should be investigated and discussed at the next board of directors meeting. Let me know if you have any questions.

5. Let’s begin this module….

6. 3 Rules for Avoiding Common Article Mistakes Use a, an, or the (or another word such as my or this) in front of a singular count noun. Incorrect: Steve Jobs was CEO of Apple. Correct: Steve Jobs was the CEO of Apple. Use the with specific noun references Incorrect: I answered client’s questions in an email. Correct: I answered the client’s questions in an email. Do not use the with general noun references. Incorrect: Some claim that the unemployment is under control. Correct: Some claim that unemployment is under control.

7. Indefinite Articles Use a and an to introduce a singular count noun. (first reference to the noun) Use a and an to define or classify something. He is an accountant. Use a and an to show that you are talking about one (of the item). Solyndra was a solar power company. Use a and an for a general truth about a singular count noun. A loss leader is an article that a store sells at a low price to tempt customers to buy other goods.

8. The Definite Article Use the to refer to a specific thing or person or when the items is known to both the writer and the reader. I will meet you in the reception area. Use the for the second and all subsequent references to the same item. Use the with a superlative or with ranking. Use the with the parts of something. The audit report is almost complete. We are just waiting for the management response. Use the before adjectives to specify a category of people are things. the rich, the middle class, theunemployed,

9. No Articles No article is needed when you are referring to the whole group or whole class. No article is needed when you are referring to a thing in general, rather than to a specific member of a group. No article is needed with names of cities, states and countries. Exceptions include place names that include the words: united, union, or republic of as well as plural names. Not article is need with a lake, but use the with all other bodies of water.

10. No Articles (cont.) No article is need with diseases, but use a with injuries, symptoms, and other non-diseases. No article is need with people’s names. No article is needed with months, dates, days, or holidays. No article is needed with common place words in certain idiomatic expressions.

11. Article Practice Article usage can be very difficult if your native language does not use a form of articles. The best way to improve your article usage is with practice, practice, practice. Good luck! Let me know if you have any questions.

12. Go to the practice activity….