ABSTRACT
The English article system is a complex system that is nevertheless
indispensable for users of English. The articles perform several
important functions and aid greatly in the art of communication. Despite
this indisputable importance of the English articles, Nigerian
newspapers misuse them to a great degree. It is a fact that newspapers
are extremely useful learning tools to students and the general public.
However, Nigerian newspapers fail to live up to the high standard
expected of them. In spite of this aberration, studies on the misuse of
the English articles by Nigerian newspapers have been particularly rare.
The aim of this is to assess the misuse of the English articles by
Nigerian newspapers. The study attempts to answer research questions
such as: In what manner do the print media deviate from established
grammatical uses of articles?To what extent are the articles misused?To
what extent does the misuse of the English articles inhibit effective
communication in Nigerian newspapers?To what degree does the misuse of
the English articles disconnect the relationship between nouns and
articles? What are the reasons for the wrong use of the English articles
by newspapers in Nigeria?In order to answer these questions, the
researcher carried out an in-depth library research. The population for
the study is all Nigerian newspapers, and the researcher selected a
total of six editions from threenational newspapers: two of each. The
data analysis showed that errors in the misuse of the English articles
are prevalent in Nigerian newspapers, and these errors hamper effective
communication. These findings suggest the necessity of employing better
writers and editors on the part of the newspaper houses. The study
concludes with suggestions for further research.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE: Introduction
1.1
Background to the Study
-
1.2
Statement of the Problem
-
1.3
Purpose of the Study
-
-
1.4
Scope and Limitations of the Study
1.5
Significance of the Study
1.6
Research Questions
-
CHAPTER TWO: Review of Relevant Literature
2.1
Conceptual Framework
-
2.1.1The English Articles
-
2.1.1.1 Uses of the Definite Article
2.1.1.2 Uses of the Indefinite Articles
2.1.1.3 The Zero Article -
-
-
2.1.1.4 The Stylistic Functions of the English Articles
2.1.1.5 The Role of Semantic Features in the Acquisition
of the English Articles
2.1.2 A Brief History of English in Nigeria
2.1.3 Writing and Newspapers in Nigeria
2.2
Theoretical Framework
-
-
2.3
Empirical Studies -
-
-
CHAPTER THREE: Methodology
3.1
Research Design
3.2
Area of study
3.3
Population
-
3.4
Sample
-
3.5
Data Collection
-
3.6
Method of Data Analysis
CHAPTER FOUR: Data Presentation and Analysis
4.1
Data Presentation
4.2
Data Analysis
CHAPTER FIVE: Discussion of Results and Conclusion
5.1
Discussion of Results
5.2
Summary