AN ANALYSIS OF THE THIRD YEAR STUDENTS’ ABILITY IN WRITING AFFIRMATIVE COMPOUND SENTENCES IN SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE AT SMAN 3 PARIAMAN

Abstrak

The purpose of this research was to describe the third year students’ ability at SMAN 3 Pariaman in writing affirmative compound sentences in simple present tense. There are three aspects; first clause, second clause and coordinating conjunctions that should be existed in a sentence in compound sentence. The population of this research was the third year students at SMAN 3 Pariaman. To select the sample the researcher used stratified cluster random sampling technique and the total number of sample was forty five (45) students. The data were collected by asking them to write the compound sentences in simple present tense. The reliability of the test was .99.The result of this study showed that in general the third year students’ ability at SMAN 3 Pariaman in writing affirmative compound sentences in simple present tense was moderate. It could be seen that 15.55% students had high ability, 66.67% students had moderate ability, and 17.78% students had low ability. In detail, the percentages of each aspect in writing compound sentences in simple present tense test were 60% students had moderate ability in writing the first clause, 66.67% students had moderate ability in writing the second clause, and 84.44% students had moderate ability in writing coordinating conjunction.Based on the result of the research, English teachers are suggested to give more exercises and motivation to the students. The students are expected to learn more and to do more exercises in writing compound sentences in simple present tense.