THE EFFECTIVENESS OF USING PICTURE PROMPT FOR TEACHING WRITING SKILL AT THE FIRST GRADE STUDENTS OF SMK MUHAMMADIYAH KUTOWINANGUN IN ACADEMIC YEAR OF 2012/2013

Abstract

Current assessment practices for writing are moving away from the traditional objective test and towards performance-based assessment. The use of picture prompts elicit writing samples is a common practice but it adds a level of complexity to the writing process. Writing tasks which use pictures to elicit writing samples require the writer to interpret the picture, create meaning from the picture, and then transfer the visual information into a verbal mode of expression. The purpose of this study is to examine whether using picture prompt in teaching writing towards the students‟ writing skill at the first grade students of SMK Muhammadiyah Kutowinangun in the academic year 2012/2013 is effective or not. The research was being carried out from 4th May to 18th May 2013. The study was conducted at the first grade students of SMK Muhammadiyah Kutowinangun. It consisted of 74 students which was divided into two classes. They were experimental group (38 students) and control group (36 students). To get the data, the researcher used test as an instrument (pre-test and post-test). The test was an essay type which consisted of 1 item. To analyze the data, the researcher used t-test. After collecting the data and analyzing them, the researcher presents the result of the research. The result of the mean score of post test of experimental group is higher than the mean score of post test of control group (81 >76). In addition, the result of t-value is 8.969. Then, the researcher consults the critical value on the t-table using 5% (0.05) alpha level significance and the degree of freedom 2.021. It shows that t-value is higher than t-table (8.969>2.021). It means that using picture prompt is effective for improving the students‟ writing skill at the first grade students of SMK Muhammadiyah Kutowinangun in the academic year 2012/2013 is effective. By using picture prompt, the students can develop their ideas in writing and also the students can describe picture with their ideas. The students can participate more and it is useful to develop their idea in their writing because it can reinforce any number of concepts.