What Articles Do
    Articles help us understand nouns; they tell us whether a noun is specific (fully identified, named as the only one of its kind) or non-specific (just one of many such nouns). We use the to show that a noun is specific. We use a or an to show that a noun is non-specific.

Using Articles With Singular Countable Nouns
    A singular countable noun is a noun that stands for a person, place, thing, or idea that can be counted as a single unit or item. Examples: one book, one bird, one apple, one orange.
    Adding an article makes it either a book (could be any book), the book (one specific book in particular), an apple (could be any book) or the apple (one specific book in particular).
    Once we determine that a noun is singular and countable, we have to decide if it is specific or non specific. That tells us whether we will use the or a and an.
    Examples: She read an article about fishing.  (Non-specific)
                    She read a magazine about fishing.  (Non-specific)
                    She read the article about summertime fly-fishing on the Snake River.  (Specific)

Using Articles With Plural Countable Nouns
    A plural countable noun refers to more than one person, place, thing, or idea. After we decide a noun is plural and countable, we must determine if the noun is specific or non-specific. Only specific plural countable nouns have articles, and they always use the. Non-specific plural countable nouns never have articles; we will never use a with plural countable nouns.
    Examples:    Apples grow in Washington.  (Non-specific)
                        The apples that grow in Washington are always excellent.  (Specific)
                        Books for science classes are the most expensive.  (Non-specific)
                        The books for my chemistry class are more expensive than my car. (Specific)

Using Articles With Non-Countable Nouns
    A non-countable noun cannot be identified as a single unit. A and an are never used with non-countable nouns. If the noun is general, representing an abstract concept, it will not have an article. If the noun is a specific, particular case of an abstract concept, it will use the article the.
    Examples:    Compassion is an important characteristic in a doctor. (General, abstract)
                        The compassion she possesses helps her patients recover.  (Specific, abstract)
                        Victory is sweetest when you are expected to lose. (General, abstract)
                        The victory came at the cost of our team’s reputation. (Specific, abstract)

Other Hints for Using Articles
    Look for adjectives in front of singular nouns; they make nouns specific, therefore requiring articles.
    Examples:    He drank a large soda.
                        I couldn’t make the stubborn horse drink.
    Look for nouns separated by “of”; this identifies the first noun specifically in terms of the second.
    Examples:    She folded a piece of paper.
                       Under the pile of blankets, I stayed warm.