AN ANALYSIS OF THE FIRST GRADE STUDENTS’ ABILITY IN WRITING DESCRIPTIVE TEXT USING SINGLE PICTURE AT SMAN 2 SUNGAI LIMAU

Abstrak

Abstract

            The purpose of this research was to describe the ability of the first grade students of SMAN 2 Sungai Limau in writing descriptive text using single picture. The design of this research was descriptive in nature. The population was the first grade students ofSMAN 2 Sungai  Limau. The researcher used cluster random sampling technique to take the sample. The total number of sample members was 223 students. The instrument was writing test by using single picture.The result of the research showed that the ability of the first grade students ofSMAN 2 Sungai Limauin writing a Descriptive text was moderate (65.62%). In specific, their ability in expressing the idea was moderate ( 59.37%), their ability in using organization was moderate (62.5%), their ability in applying language features was moderate (59.37%), their ability in using vocabulary was moderate (71.87%), and their ability in applying mechanics was moderate (100%).Hence, the students are expected to learn much harder in writing. Since the result of the study was moderate, the researcher  also suggests the English teachers to give more knowledge, explanation, practice in order to help students to improve their ability to write descriptive text. The students should pay attention to the ideas, organization, using appropriate vocabulary, applying language features, and applying mechanics. They should do a lot of practices and exercises in order to improve their ability in writing descriptive text.

Key words: descriptive text, writing, single picture.