SYNTACTICAL ERROR ANALYSIS OF DESCRIPTIVE TEXT WRITING MADE BY THE EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS OF SMPN 1 YOSOWILANGUN IN THE 2013/2014 ACADEMIC YEAR

Abstract

The results of the data showed that there were 7 types of syntactical errors done by the students. They are errors on the use of number as many as 2 errors (1,28%), 6 errors on the use of article (3,85%), 31 errors on the use of pronouns (19,87%), 6 errors on the use of prepositions (3,85%), 51 errors on subject and verb agreement (32,69%), 23 errors on the omission of verb (14,74%), and 7 errors on word order (4,49%). In addition, 30 errors of the other types of syntactical error which were not based on Linguistic Category Taxonomy were also found (19,23%). It could be concluded that the students still made some syntactical errors in their descriptive text writing. The English teacher is suggested to give more explanation and exercises in teaching grammar so that the students can master English grammar perfectly. It would also be better if the teacher gives more practices in writing so that the students will be more familiar with English writing.