AN ANALYSIS OF THIRD YEAR STUDENTS’ DIFFICULTIES IN WRITING COMPARISON AND CONTRAST ESSAY OF ENGLISH DEPARTMENT AT BUNG HATTA UNIVERSITY

Abstrak

Abstract

This research was aimed to describe the difficulties faced by the third year students of English Department at Bung Hatta University in writing comparison and contrast essay. The design of this research was descriptive research. The number of population members of this research was 112 students. They were divided into three classes; class A, class B, class C. The researcher used cluster random sampling technique to choose the sample. The instrument used to get the data was writing test. The data of this research were students’ difficulties in writing comparison and contrast essay. Generally, the result of data analysis showed that 16 students (55.17%) have difficulties in writing comparison and contrast essay. Specifically, the result of data analysis showed that 23 students (79.31%) have difficulties in organizing idea, 13 students (44.83%) have difficulties in using correct grammar, 7 students (24.14%) have difficulties in using appropriate words, 26 students (89.65%) have difficulties in using transition signal, 11 students (37.93%)  have difficulties in using mechanics. Based on the result of data analysis and discussion, it could be concluded that students had difficulties in writing comparison and contrast essay. Dealing with this conclusion, the researcher expects to the students to do more exercises, and do more practices at home. For the further researcher, it is suggested to find out the factors that causes of difficulties by students on each aspect of writing.

Key words : Writing, Comparison and Contrast Essay, Students’ Difficulties