1. Learn the rules which are easy to apply, such as choosing between a and an.

2. Since proper nouns are more idiosyncratic and may simply need to be memorized, become familiar with article usage in the nouns you use most often, especially those associated with your field of study.

3. Study these webpages--particularly "Five Sources of Definiteness," and the hints and examples.

4.Memorize the definition of definiteness ("known to both the writer/speaker and the reader/listener").

5. Whenever you write in English, proofread your writing carefully and apply the rules for article usage very deliberately.

6. Memorize some of the most frequently occurring uncountable nouns and look up other nouns in a dictionary if you are not sure whether they are countable or uncountable.

7. If your dictionary does not indicate whether nouns are countable or uncountable, then you should consult another dictionary, such as The Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

8. Visit the Writing Center at Rensselaer and ask a consultant specifically for assistance in using articles.

With practice, you can learn to use articles correctly--not only in writing, but also in speech!