A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY OF THE EIGHT GRADE STUDENTS’ ABILITY IN WRITING A DESCRIPTIVE PARAGRAPH BY USING INDIVIDUAL PICTURES AT SMPN 3 KENCONG, JEMBER IN THE 2010/2011 ACADEMIC YEAR PICTURES AT SMPN 3 KENCONG, JEMBER IN THE 2010/2011 ACADEMIC YEAR PICTURES AT SMPN 3 KENCONG, JEMBER IN THE 2010/2011 ACADEMIC YEA

Abstract

This descriptive research was intended to know the eight grade students’ ability in writing a descriptive paragraph by using individual pictures at SMPN 3 Kencong, Jember in the 2010/2011 academic year which was evaluated from the aspects of content, organization, grammar, vocabulary, and mechanics. The number of the population was 188 students. The population of the research was homogeneous. Then, the respondents of the research were taken from the students of class VIIIA that was determined by using cluster random sampling. The number of the respondents was 32 students. In this research, there were two kinds of data. They were the primary data and supporting data. The primary data were collected by test and supporting data were collected from documentation and interview. The data test was analyzed by using the formula ∑ = n/N x 100. The results of the data analysis were classified based on the interpretation of the score levels. Based on the results of the data analysis, the students’ average ability in writing a descriptive paragraph by using individual pictures was classifiesd as fair category or 62.75. It was in the range score of 60 - 74. The average score of each indicator in the content was 66.25 or fair category, organization was 61.25 or fair category, grammar was 56.56 or poor category, vocabulary was 64.69 or fair category, and mechanic was 65 or fair category. The indicator of grammar was the most difficult writing aspect for the students in writing a descriptive paragraph by using individual pictures. It was in the lowest average score. The vocabulary aspect was the highest average score from all of the indicators in the students’ descriptive paragraph writing test. In the frequencies of the students’ writing scores, it was found that there was 1 student or 3.12% who was in the good category, 21 students or 65.62% was in the fair category, and 10 students or 31.25% was in the poor category. There weren’t any students in the excellent and fail categories. The lowest frequency of the students’ writing score was 3.12% from 1 student with the score in the range of 78 – 84 or good category. The highest frequency on the students’ writing score was 65.62% or 21 students with the score in range of 60 – 74 or fair category. It could be concluded that the eight grade students’ ability in writing a descriptive paragraph by using individual pictures at SMPN 3 Kencong, Jember in the 2010/2011 academic year, is needed to be improved by giving practices to the students in writing a descriptive paragraph. Then, it is suggested for the English teacher to improve the students’ ability in writing. He should give more writing exercises to the students in writing a descriptive paragraph by using individual pictures. The students are suggested to study about the use of simple present tense and practice writing a lot to improve their ability in writing a descriptive paragraph by using individual pictures. At last, the other researchers are suggested to conduct a classroom action research to improve the students’ ability in writing a descriptive paragraph by using individual pictures, mainly in the aspect of grammar because in this research, the indicator of grammar was in the lowest average score among the indicators.