“The Second Year Students’ Ability to Complete an Essay Using Correct Punctuation at English Department of Bung Hatta University”.

Abstrak

The purpose of this research was to analyze students’ ability to complete an essay using correct punctuation at English Department of Bung Hatta University. The design of this research was descriptive research. The population of this research was the second year students at English Department of Bung Hatta University. The total sample members were 23 students. They were chosen by using total sampling technique. The data were collected through completion test. To make the test reliable, the researcher used split half methods which separate the test into odd item and event item. The coefficient correlation of the test was 0.86. It means that the test was reliable.

The result of this research showed that the students’ ability to complete an essay using correct punctuation in general was classified into low ability. It was proved by the finding that 74% students had low ability. The students’ ability to complete an essay using full stop was very good. It was proved by the finding that 65.2 % students had very good ability. The students’ ability to complete an essay using comma was good. It was proved by the finding that 47.8% students had good ability. The students’ ability to complete an essay using colon was low. It was proved by the finding that 82.6 % students had low ability. The students’ ability to complete an essay using semi colon was low. It was proved by the finding that 91.3 % students had low ability. The students’ ability to complete an essay using dash was low. It was proved by the finding that 82.8 % students had low ability.

By having known that the student’s  ability in completing essay using correct punctuation was low, the researcher suggests the lecturers to give more explanation and review about the function and concept of each punctuation especially colon, semi colon and dash. The students are suggested to improve their ability by doing more exercises. The further researcher is suggested to find out the causes and the way to solve the problems.

Key word: Ability, punctuation, essay