The Ability of Applying Mechanics in Business Letters of the Eleventh Year Students of SMK Plus Al-Azis Jember

Abstract

The correct application of mechanics in writing is essential. It is due to the fact that wrong application of mechanics can cause miscommunication between the writer and the reader. Therefore, it is important for the students to master mechanics and its application. This study is a descriptive quantitative research on the ability of applying mechanics in business letters of the eleventh year students of SMK Plus AlAzis Jember

in the 2010/2011 Academic Year. The problem of the study is “How is the eleventh year students‟ ability in applying mechanics in business letters at SMK Plus Al-Azis Jember in the 2010/2011 academic year?”. This research was intended to describe the students‟ ability of applying mechanics in business letters writing. Business letters used in this research were Job Application Letter, Complaint Letter, and Ordering Letter. The determination method used was purposive method. The number of the respondents was 22 students of the Sales Program. The primary data were collected by administering objective test in the form of completion and error correction test, while the supporting data were obtained from interview and documentation. Primary data were obtained and analyzed qualitatively by the percentage formula. Based on the result of test, the ability of applying mechanics in business letters of the eleventh year students of SMK Plus Al-Azis Jember in the 2010/2011 Academic Year was categorized good (72,4%). In details, the frequency of the students‟ score to apply mechanics in business letters were as follows: in the category of “excellent” was 18.2%, in category of “good” was 36.4%,in the category of “fair” was 31.8%, and in the category of “poor” was 13.6% from the total respondents. The students are suggested to practice more how to apply mechanics correctly and read the authentic business letters. To familiarize them with the use of mechanics, the students will be able to have better comprehension about mechanics and their application of using mechanics in the authentic business letters become precise which in useful when the students should perform the competence in their workplace.