Improving students’ writing competence by using mind mapping (a classroom action research on eleventh grade students of SMA Negeri 1 Magelang in 2008/2009 Academic Year)

Oleh :
Sri Haryati - K2205019 - Fak. KIP

ABSTRAK This study is based on the problem of the low writing competence on the Eleventh grade students of SMA Negeri 1 Magelang. The research aims at improving students’ writing competence. Specifically, it aims at finding out of how far mind mapping can improve students’ writing competence, what is students’ perception about mind mapping, and the advantages and disadvantages of mind mapping technique. The research was carried out under an action research method. The subject of this study is the Eleventh grade students of SMA Negeri 1 Magelang. The action research was conducted in two cycles. Each cycle consists of four steps: planning, action, observation, and reflection. In collecting the data, the researcher used qualitative and quantitative data. In qualitative method, the researcher used observational and non-observational technique. Observational technique consists of observation, field notes, and photographs, while non-observational technique consists of interview, questionnaires and documents. In quantitative method, the data were gotten from the test. The technique of analyzing the qualitative data was Constant Comparative Method. The technique of analyzing the quantitative data was by finding the improvement of the students’ writing score after the research was implemented. Based on the result of the study, it can be concluded that mind mapping can improve students’ writing competence. The mean score of pre-test was 58.77 and it improved to 75.66 in the last post-test. From the result of the test and observation, it showed that after the researcher conducted the research there was significant improvement of students writing competence. This improvement was followed by the improvement of some aspects in writing, such as content, organization, vocabulary, language use and mechanics. Besides, the students have a better writing habit after mind mapping was implemented. Mind mapping gives some advantages for students. First, it helps the students to organize the ideas. Second, it improves the students’ motivation and interest. Third, it improves students’ vocabulary mastery. Fourth, mind mapping enhances the students’ memory about the ideas they want to share. Last, it increases students’ understanding and develops the students’ creativity. The disadvantages of mind mapping are it needs a long time to produce a mind map and it is complicated job. In general, the students had a good perception about mind mapping by stating that mind mapping is interesting, amusing, helpful, and unique writing technique. The result of the research implies that the teacher can use mind mapping technique to teach writing and they should make consideration about the topic to be discuss in order to draw the students’ interest. Meanwhile, the students need to be more active and creative during the learning process.