CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION
D. Conceptual Framework
The researcher described this research through this conceptual framework. Where the writing is applied in this research. One of the writing activities that the students did was English essay writing. There are some kinds
of essay writing but in this research the researcher used descriptive writing. In writing the descriptive essay, generally the writers use simple present tense.
In the simple present tense, usually the verb that can be used are V1 or Vs/es in verbal sentence. And the auxiliary to be that can be used are “is, am or are”. In this research activity, the students that were researched by the researcher would be free to choose one of the tittles of the essay that the researcher gave.
In this research, the researcher would focuss on the subject verb agreement of simple present tense in each sentence in the students’ essay writing.
The purpose of this activity is to find out the students’ ability in using subject verb agreement in writing an essay. The result of this calculating would answer the question in the problem statement in chapter one.
Essay Writing
Simple Present Tense
Subject Verb Agreement
Students’ ability
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CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHOD
A. Research Design
In this research, the researcher used descriptive quantitative research.
According to Schreiber, descriptive studies simply describe some phenomenon using numbers to create a picture of a group or individual (Schreiber, 2011).
Furthermore, descriptive research can be either quantitative or qualitative. It can involve collections of quantitative information that can be tabulated along in continuum in numerical forms, such as scores on a test or the number of times a person chooses to use a certain feature of a multimedia program, or it can describe categories of information such as gender or patterns of interaction when using technology in a group situation. Therefore, the researcher decided to use quantitative data because the researcher wanted to know the students' ability in using the subject-verb agreement. The research employed this method to collect and analyze data which was suitable for this research to get information about the students' ability in using subject-verb agreement in writing an essay.
B. Research Variable
In this research, the researcher researched the use of subject-verb agreement in students' essay writing.
C. Population and Sample 1. Population
The population of this research was the fourth-semester students of the English Department at the Alauddin State Islamic University of Makassar.
The total population was 71 students. The 71 students were divided into two classes. A class consisted of 35 students, and B class consisted of 36 Students.
2. Sample
The researcher applied a simple random sampling technique.
According to (Gay, et al, 2012:131) Simple random sampling is the process of choosing a sample in such a way that all individuals in the defined population have an equal and independent chance of selection for the sample. The researcher chose 35 students as the sample, where the researcher took half of the Students in each class because the students of the fourth semester of the English department at Alauddin state Islamic university of Makassar were divided into 2 classes.
D. Research Instrument
In this research, the researcher applied a writing test as the instrument. The writing test was writing a descriptive essay. The writing test was used to know the
students' ability in using subject-verb agreement of simple present tense in writing an essay.
E. Data Collection
In collecting the data, several steps were completed. The steps in collecting the data included:
1. The researcher gave some topics to the students. For the descriptive essay, the topics were Losari Beach, My Campus, My Hometown, My Best Friend, and My Favorite Singer.
2. The researcher allowed the students to choose one of the topics that have been given.
3. The researcher asked the students to write an essay based on the topic that they chose.
4. The researcher analyzed the students’ writing test.
F. The technique of Data Analysis
The data analysis was conducted to describe the data by classifying it one by one based on the topic. The first data were those concerning the result of writing a descriptive essay. A writing test was used to find out the students' ability in using subject-verb agreement of simple present tense in writing an essay. The students' scores were classified into the classification of students' abilities such as excellent, good, fair, poor, and very poor according to their result of writing the essay.
1. Scoring the students' correct sentences at writing test by using this formula :
̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
(Depdiknas as cited in Hermawan, 2016) 2. Indicator
No Criteria Score Note
1. Correct 1 The student's subject-verb agreement used is correct ( the subject-verb agreement used follows the rules of the simple present tense ) 2. Incorrect 0 The student's subject-verb agreement used is
incorrect (the subject-verb agreement used doesn't follow the rules of the simple present
tense )
(redesign by Nababan, 2012: 57) 3. Scoring Classification of Students’ Writing Achievement
NO Interval Score Classification
1. 96 - 100 Excellent
2. 86 - 95 Very good
3. 76 – 85 Good
4. 66 – 75 Fairly good
5. 56 – 65 Fair
6. 36 – 55 Poor
7. 0 – 35 Very poor
(Depdiknas as cited in Hermawan, 2016)
4. The researcher calculated the percentage of students who were categorized into some classifications level, namely Excellent, very good, good, fairly good, fair, poor, and very poor by the following formula:
% Note:
P: The percentage of students
f: frequency of students who were categorized into a classification level n: Number of respondents
5. Mean score of the result (Sugiyono, 2007, p. 48)
̅
Note:
X = Average score
X1, X2,…Xn = 1st, 2nd, …, data (scores) n = data (number of students)
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CHAPTER IV
FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS
A. Research Finding
The objective of the study was aimed how the ability of the fifth-semester studentsin using subject-verb agreement of simple present tense in writing an essay.
The result of this objective is presented in the research finding table below:
Table 4.1 Percentage of the Students’ Level Mastery in the subject-verb agreementof simple present tense
Number Classification Number Percentage
1. Excellent ( 96 – 100 ) 7 Students 20 %
2. Very Good (86 – 95 ) 16 Students 45.71 %
3. Good ( 76 –85 ) 8 Students 22.86 %
4. Fairly good ( 66 – 75 ) 3 Students 8.57 %
5. Fair ( 56 – 65 ) 1 Student 2.86 %
6. Poor ( 36 – 55 ) 0 Student 0 %
7. Very poor ( 0 – 35 ) 0 Student 0 %
Total : 35 Students 100 %
From the table above, the researcher got the result that there were 7 or (20%) students whose mastery level were excellent, 16 or (45.71 %) students gained a very good level, 8 or (22.86 %) students whose mastery level were good, 3 or (8.57 %) students gained a fairly good level, 1 or (2.86 %) student gained a fair level, no
27
student gained a poor level. And the last level is very poor and no student gained this level.
Here are the examples of students' subject-verb agreement used for each level category:
(note : NR that is explained below is the students cod)
1. Excellent level category
NR 27 got this category because this student made 12 subject-verb agreements used of the simple present in the writing test, namely:
a. Losari Beach is a beach located in west of the city of Makassar, South Sulawesi province, Indonesia.
b. This beach is a place for Makassar residents to spend time in the morning, afternoon and evening.
c. This place is also for enjoying the beautiful sunset views
d. The distance of Losari Beach from Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport is approximately 20 KM.
e. Vendors and traders only operate at night.
f. The tent stalls lined the beach are less long over one kilometer.
g. One of the typical Makassar snacks sold in the tent stalls is the epe banana.
h. One of the typical Makassar snacks sold in the tent stalls is the epe banana.
i. It is raw banana that is burned, then made flat j. It is best eaten
k. It is still warm with various toppings on top such as grated cheese, strawberry jam, etc.
l. It is also still around Losari Beach.
All of the subject-verb agreements used above are correct because they follow the rules of simple present tense both verbal and nominal. This student’s result was 100. The score “100” was categorized into excellent level with the scores are (96 –100).
2. Very good level category
NR 18 got this category because this student made 16 subject-verb agreements used of the simple present tense in the writing test, namely:
a. This weather region is clammy b. Bogor has famous place c. It is puncak pusara
d. The travelers from others region always visit Bogor for visiting PuncakPusara Bogor
e. Bogor also has interesting history since 1937
f. It is about the kapitan who stayed there for comforting the colonizer
g. The government there build the statue of Kapitan in front of the gate Puncak Pusara Bogor. (Incorrect)
h. The people of Bogor has different language with other sundanese which the language is slightly rough with other sunda language (incorrect)
i. The people around Bogor, moreover, the girls there most of them are beautiful
j. The people Bogor are kind
k. They have a good attitude with the travelers and others
l. It is the place which is led by Ridwan Kamil as the up to date person in West Java
m. There is something new in Bogor n. It is exactly in Puncak
o. It is useful for the travelers p. It is also useful for the sales there
From 16 subject-verb agreements used above, there were 14 correct subject-verb agreements used. This student's result was 87, 5. The score “87, 5”
was categorized into very good level with the scores are (86 – 95).
3. Good level category
NR 15 got this category because this student made 16 subject-verb agreements used of the simple present tense in the writing test, namely:
a. I from Enrekang (incorrect)
b. I want to tell you about my story during learning online due to Covid 19 c. I live in a little village
d. Its name is Madata
e. I don’t access internet easily f. in my village is at mountain
g. the network is not good for learning online h. my lecture use whatsapp (incorrect) i. I sometimes attend the class
j. I don’t attend the class
k. During learning online if I want to access internet l. if there class (incorrect)
m. it is not far
n. I still walk a little to get there
o. I also wake up at 12:00 am to work my task p. if the night my network is good to access internet
From 16 subject-verb agreements used above, there were 13 correct subject-verb agreements used. This student’s result was 81, 25. The score “81, 25” was categorized into good level with the scores are (76 – 85).
4. Fairly good level category
NR 11 got this category because this student made 15 subject-verb agreements used of the simple present in the writing test, namely:
a. It is easier to get music based on our own personality b. One of my favorite singer is one direction
c. One direction are an English pop boy band formed in London, England in 2010 (incorrect)
d. Their name become more famous (incorrect)
e. The five boys who make a lot of young ladies hysterical are Niall Horrand, Zayn Malik, Lovis Tomlinson, Liam Payne and Harry Styles
f. He also want to make albums (incorrect)
g. he want to collaborate with world-renowned musicians (incorrect) h. Next boy is Zayn Malik
i. urban music is the main factor affecting his musical career in R&B and rap genre
j. Next boy is Lovis Tomlinson
k. The musician who is idolized and influenced his musical journey the most is Robbie Williams
l. Fourth Boy is Liam Payne
m. Liam is a fan of Justin Timberlake
n. Timberlake is the biggest influence in his musical career o. The last boy is Harry Style
From the 15 subject-verb agreements used above, there were 11 correct subject-verb agreements used. This student’s result was 73.33. The
score "73.33" was categorized into fairly good levels with the scores are (66 – 75).
5. Fair level category
NR 33 got this category because this student made 19 subject-verb agreements used of the simple present tense in the writing test, namely:
a. They are can just friend and close friend (incorrect) b. Friends are people who know you
c. you just take a several time with them d. They are just know you (incorrect) e. they also admires you
f. they not know all about you (incorrect)
g. they not accepting your personality (incorrect)
h. The second aspect we talking about best friend who loves, cares, and always gives you support whatever your condition (incorrect)
i. They know our personality not only on the surface but overall j. They give us a chance
k. we make a mistake
l. they also give advice to be a good personality
m. They accepting negative and positive aspect in our personality (incorrect) n. Friendship is one of the greatest blessings that not everyone is lucky
enough to have
o. We meet a lot of people in the journey of life p. there is only few friends who stay with us
q. My best friends is one such person who has been able to make a positive impact in my life (incorrect)
r. I fell extremely fortunate to have someone as a best friend in my life s. we do the same thing
From 19 subject-verb agreements used above, there were 11 correct subject-verb agreements used. The student's result was 57.89. The score
“57.89” was categorized into fair level with the scores are (56 – 65).
Table 4.2 Mean Score of The Students’ Result
Total of students’ scores 3088.42
Total number of students 35
̅
Mean Score 88.24
From the table above, the researcher concluded that the students' ability in using subject verb-agreement of the simple present tense in writing an essay in the fifth semester of the English Department at Alauddin State IslamicUniversity of Makassar was categorized into the very good level as the score is 88.24. This score was got based on the result of all the students' scores that were divided into 35 or the total of the students.
This research described the students' ability in using subject-verb agreement of simple present tense in writing an essay at the fifth-semester students of the English Department at the Alauddin State Islamic University of Makassar. Based on the result of this research, the researcher would like to describe this research by using a table which is appended on the page appendix. The researcher found the scores based on the calculation that the researcher did.
B. Discussion
This part discussed the finding of the research which covered the ability of the students in using subject-verb agreement in writing an essay. The subject-verb agreement used focused on the simple present tense. The variables measured were the subject-verb agreement used of simple present tense both verbal and nominal.
In this finding, the researcher found correct and incorrect subject-verb agreement used of the simple present tense in students' essay writing. These are discussed as follows:
1. The correct subject-verb agreement used
The subject-verb agreement used that followed the rule of simple present tense was correct. And the score was one (1). And in this finding most of the samples that the researcher researched made the correct subject-verb agreement used that followed the rules of subject-subject-verb agreement in simple present tense.
2. The incorrect subject-verb agreement used :
Some of the samples also made incorrect subject-verb agreement used, namely :
a. The using S + to be + V1 NR 1
SVA used: we are live in the same neighborhood.
There were some students made this kind of this incorrect subject verb agreement used namely, NR 6, NR 1, NR 13, NR 26, NR 28, NR 8, and NR 33. The example of subject-verb agreement used above is incorrect because, after the plural subject in the verbal sentence, it should be followed by the V1 directly without adding to be. This in line with the explanation of Suherman (2017) that the formula of the verbal sentence in the simple present tense is (+) S+V1 (s/es) + (O + adv). So the subject-verb agreement used above doesn't follow the rule. It is in line with the theory of Straus (2014) mentioned that subject verb agreement is a singular subject that is put after a singular verb and a plural verb that is put after a plural verb.
b. The using S + without to be (is/am/are) + Complement NR. 2
SVA used: Uland a beautiful woman
There were some students made this kind of this incorrect subject verb agreement used namely, NR 4, NR 2, NR 10, NR 14, NR 17, NR 22, NR 15, NR 28, NR 35, NR 8, and NR 30. The example of subject-verb agreement used above is incorrect because according to the rule, after the subject in the nominal sentence, it should be followed by to be (is/am/are) then complement. Uland is a singular subject so, to be which is correct for the SVA used namely "is". It is in line with the explanation of Suherman (2017) that the formula of the nominal sentence in the simple present tense is S + to be (is/am/are) + complement. So the subject-verb agreement used above doesn't follow the rule.
c. The using S + without V1 (s/es) + O NR. 2
SVA used: uland two brothers
There was a student made this kind of this incorrect subject verb agreement used namely, NR 2. The example of subject-verb agreement used above is incorrect because according to the rule, after the subject in the verbal sentence, it should be followed by V1 (s/es) then O. Uland is a singular subject so, Verb "has" is correct for the SVA used. This explanation in line with the theory of Orlove (2004:271) stated that
subject-verb agreement is a singular subject that is followed by a singular verb and a plural subject that is followed by a plural verb. So the subject-verb agreement used above doesn't follow the rule.
d. The using plural subject + to be (is) + complement NR.3
SVA used :These destinations is suitable to take pictures
There were some students made this kind of this incorrect subject verb agreement used namely, NR 3, NR 9, NR 17, NR 19, and NR 23. The example of subject-verb agreement used above is incorrect because according to the rule, after the subject in a nominal sentence, it should be followed by to be (is/am/are) then complement. "These destinations" is plural subject so, to be which is correct for the SVA used above namely
"are". This explanation has a correlation with the theory of Eastwood (1994) stated that to be (are) used for subject You, They, We. So the subject-verb agreement used above doesn't follow the rule.
e. The using singular subject + V1 + O NR.7
SVA used: She always participate in competition about writing via online There were some students made this kind of this incorrect subject verb agreement used namely, NR 3, NR 5, NR 10, NR 12, NR 14, NR 17, NR 18, NR 19, NR 21, NR 23, NR 24, NR 32, NR 1, NR 7, NR 13, NR 15, NR 26, NR 31, NR 35, NR 8, NR 11, and NR 30. The example of
subject-verb agreement used above is incorrect because according to the rule, after the subject in a verbal sentence, it should be followed by V1 (s/es) then O. the subject "she" is a singular subject so, verb "participates"
is correct for the SVA used because according to Eastwood (1994) stated the third person singular subject is followed by a verb that end s or es. So the subject-verb agreement used above doesn't follow the rule.
f. The using plural subject + Vs/es + O NR.7
SVA used: usually people Ambon has dark skin
There were some students made this kind of this incorrect subject verb agreement used namely, NR 18, NR 7, and NR 33. The example of subject-verb agreement used above is incorrect because according to the rule, after the subject in a verbal sentence, it should be followed by V1
(s/es) then O. The subject “people Ambon" is plural subject so, the verb
"have" is correct for the SVA used above because the explanation of Suherman (2017) that the formula of the verbal sentence in the simple present tense is (+) S+V1 (s/es) + (O + adv ). This explanation in line with the theory of Orlove (2004:271) stated that subject-verb agreement is a singular subject that is followed by a singular verb and a plural subject
"have" is correct for the SVA used above because the explanation of Suherman (2017) that the formula of the verbal sentence in the simple present tense is (+) S+V1 (s/es) + (O + adv ). This explanation in line with the theory of Orlove (2004:271) stated that subject-verb agreement is a singular subject that is followed by a singular verb and a plural subject