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AN ANALYSIS OF READABILITY LEVEL OF SHORT STORIES WITH
LESS THAN 300 WORDS TAKEN FROM O, THE OPRAH MAGAZINE (A
STUDY BASED ON A SYSTEMIC FUNCTIONAL LINGUISTICS
APPROACH)
THESIS
Submitted as Partial Fulfillment of Requirements
For Sarjana Sastra Degree of English Department
Faculty of Cultural Sciences
By:
Dewi Ruth Mei
C0309024
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF CULTURAL SCIENCES
SEBELAS MARET UNIVERSITY
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MOTTO
Dream as if you'll live forever.
Live as if you'll die today.
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DEDICATION
This thesis is dedicated to:
- My parents
- My friends
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Alhamdullillahhirobbil’ alamin. First of all I would like to thank to Allah
SWT for the entire blessing, protection, and guidance in conducting this thesis.
This thesis will not be completed if there are no supports, assistances, and
prayers from many people.
In this opportunity, I would like to thank to:
1. Prof. Drs. Riyadi Santosa, M.Ed., Ph.D as the Dean of Faculty of
Cultural Sciences for allowing this thesis to be completed
successfully.
2. Drs. Agus Hari Wibowo, M.A., Ph.D as the Head of English
Department for his permission in accomplishing this thesis.
3. Dr. Tri Wiratno, M.A as my thesis consultant and academic adviser
for his guidance during my study until I can complete my thesis.
4. All the lecturers in English Department for the knowledge that is
taught.
5. My parents, mumi and pupi, for the endless support, infinite
prayers, and unlimited other things. Thank you for the roots to
stand and wings to fly you gave me. I love you.
6. Alifa, Astrini, Anggun, Deli, and Mbak Desi for all the support
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7. Amal and Pia, my highschool spazzing buddies, thank you for all
the encouragement and all the spazzing we used to do.
8. All my friends and other people that cannot be mentioned here for
their encouragement and motivation whether it’s directly or
indirectly.
Regardless of my effort in completing this thesis as good as possible, it is
the fact that this thesis is still far from being perfect. Therefore I will be
thankful for the future suggestion and advices given regarding this thesis.
Surakarta, June 2015
The Researcher
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PRONOUNCEMENT
I pronounce that the thesis entitled “AN ANALYSIS OF READABILITY
LEVEL OF SHORT STORIES WITH LESS THAN 300 WORDS TAKEN
FROM O, THE OPRAH MAGAZINE (A STUDY BASED ON A SYSTEMIC
FUNCTIONAL LINGUISTICS APPROACH)” is originally conducted by the
researcher. It is not plagiarism nor conducted by others. The things related to
the other’s work are written in quotations and included within the bibliography.
If the thesis is proven as a plagiarism work, then I am ready to take the
responsibility.
Surakarta, June 2015
The Researcher
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title………... i
The Approval of Consultant ……... ii
The Approval of the Board Examiners ... iii
Motto ... iv
Dedication ... v
Acknowledgement... vi
Pronouncement ... viii
Table of Contents ... ix
List of Figures ... xii
List of Tables ... xiii
Abstract ... xiv
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION A. Research Background……… 1
B. Research Questions ………... 5
C. Research Objectives ………. 6
D. Research Benefits………..……… 6
E. Scope of the Study ………..…….. 7
F. Research Methodology ………. 7
G. Thesis Organization ………. 8
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C. Readability ………...……….……... 10
1. Concept of Readability ………....…. 11
2. Factors of Readability ……….. 11
D. Systemic Functional Linguistics …………...……….... 13
1. Text and Context ………...………… 13
2. Register ………. 15
3. Lexicogrammar ………... 17
a. Clause system ………... 17
b. MOOD system and MOOD structure ….. 20
c. Thematic system ………..… 21
d. Transitivity ………..… 23
e. Group System……….…… 34
f. Technicality and Nominalization ……… 39
g. Lexical Density ………. 39
E. Cohesion ……… 40
1. Grammatical Cohesion ………....… .40
2. Lexical Cohesion ……..……….…. 43
F. Text Structure ………..… 45
G. Genre ……… 46
1. Service Genre ………..… 46
2. Factual Genre …………..……… 47
3. Story Genre ……….……… 50
CHAPTER III: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY A. Type of Research………..… 52
B. Data and Source of Data ………...……... 52
C. Sample and Technique of Sampling …….…………..…. 52
D. Technique of Collecting Data…………...……… 53
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CHAPTER IV: DATA ANALYSIS
A. Data Description……….…...……... 56
1. Data Description of Text 1………...… 56
2. Data Description of Text 2……….……...… 62
3. Data Description of Text 3 ………..… 66
4. Data Description of Text 4 ………..……… 72
B. Data Interpretation...……….……… 75
1. Data Interpretation of Text 1 …….…………..… 75
2. Data Interpretation of Text 2 ……… 79
3. Data Interpretation of Text 3 ………….……….. 83
4. Data Interpretation of Text 4 ……….………..… 87
C. Discussion ………..………….… 91
CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION A. Conclusion ……….………..…… 99
B. Recommendation ……… 100
Bibliography
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LIST OF FIGURES
2.1 MOOD System ….………..…… 20
2.2 Interpersonal Interaction in a Clause ………..… 22
2.3 Types of Participants and Process in English …………..… 24
2.4 The Structure of Nominal Group …………..……… 35
2.5 The Classification of Verbal Group …..………..…… 37
2.6 Factual Genre ……….………..… 49
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LIST OF TABLES
4.1.1 Complexity of Clause of Text I ………..………….… 57
4.1.2 Complexity of Nominal Group of Text I ……….…… 57
4.1.3 Complexity of Verbal Group of Text I …………...……… 58
4.1.4 Complexity of Adverbial Group of Text I …..……… 58
4.1.5 Text Structure of Text I ……….….. 60
4.2.1 Complexity of Clause of Text II ………. 62
4.2.2 Complexity of Nominal Group of Text II ……….. 62
4.2.3 Complexity of Verbal Group of Text II ………..…………. 63
4.2.4 Complexity of Adverbial Group of Text II ………... 64
4.2.5 Text Structure of Text II ……… 62
4.3.1 Complexity of Clause of Text III ……….. 66
4.3.2 Complexity of Nominal Group of Text III ……….………. 66
4.3.3 Complexity of Verbal Group of Text III ……….…… 67
4.3.4 Complexity of Adverbial Group of Text III ……… 67
4.3.5 Text Structure of Text III ……….…... 69
4.4.1 Complexity of Clause of Text IV ……….… 71
4.4.2 Complexity of Nominal Group of Text IV ………...… 71
4.4.3 Complexity of Verbal Group of Text IV ………….……… 72
4.4.4 Complexity of Adverbial Group of Text IV ……...… 72
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AN ANALYSIS OF READABILITY LEVEL OF SHORT STORIES WITH LESS THAN 300 WORDS TAKEN FROM O, THE OPRAH
MAGAZINE (A STUDY BASED ON A SYSTEMIC FUNCTIONAL
LINGUISTICS APPROACH)
Dewi Ruth Mei1
Dr. Tri Wiratno, M.A2
ABSTRACT
This research belongs to a qualitative research applying descriptive method. This research analyzed the readability level of short stories with less than 300 words using Systemic Functional Linguistics approach. It aims to find out the readability level of each text. It is also intended to know whether the word count limitation brings significant difference in the readability level.
The data of the research are the performance in the frame of Systemic Functional Linguistics including complexity of clause and groups, technicality and nominalization, lexical density, cohesion, and text structure. The source of data are short stories under 300 words entitled “Ad Infinitum” by Mark Leyner; “Her Number” by Antonya Nelson; “Vista di Mare” by Stuart Dybek; and “Witness” by John Edgar Wideman. This research was conducted through Systemic Functional Linguistic approach. The data were taken by using total sampling which belongs to purposive sampling method.
This research was conducted by analyzing the source of data based on the complexity of clause and groups, technicality and nominalization, lexical density, cohesion, and text structure. Then the data descriptions were interpreted and used to determine the readability level of each text.
The result of the analysis found out that all of the texts employ less technicalities and nominalizations, low lexical density, have cohesive logical relation, and use appropriate genre belongs to story genre. The difference found in the complexity of clause and groups with Text I has the same amount of simplex and complex clause, Text II and Text IV dominated by simplex clause, and Text III dominated by complex clause. Considering all this aspects, it indicates that all texts have high readability level with Text II possessing the highest readability level among all.
In conclusion, despite the 300 words limitation, the writers are able to successfully deliver their story to the readers. It is recommended to the next research to explore more elements in SFL as a background of their research especially regarding readability.
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