Review of the Previous Research

II. THE FRAME OF THEORIES

This chapter discusses the frame of theories that are used to support the research. It includes several points, i.e. the review of previous research, the related literature, theoretical assumption, and the hypothesis of the research.

2.1. Review of the Previous Research

In relation to this research, there are several previous studies which have been conducted by some researchers see, e.g. Ahmad and Asraf, 2004 ; Wilingham, 2006; and Alfarini, 2008 . Ahmad and Asraf 2004 did a study in Missouri University concerning the language learners respond the English texts. The objective of their research was investigated how the learners made an effort to comprehend the texts by selecting the information from the context by comprehending the unfamiliar words in the text. They found that by understanding the unfamiliar words, the students are able to comprehend the text. They also divided the contextual clues into some categories, they are: 1 definition, 2 experiential background, 3 comparison or contrast, 4 synonym, 5 familiar expressions or language experience, 6 summary, and 7 reflection of mood or situation. Wilingham 2006 conducted the research for primary students New York Primary School. The result of his study found that students are encouraged to use background knowledge to make educated guesses about the meaning of unfamiliar words by the clues, so that they were able to comprehend the text. In addition, by prior knowledge, students are encouraged to apply what they know from their own lives to the text, or to consider the theme of the text before read the whole text. Based on the explanation above, it can be assumed that the students’ understanding of contextual clues may help the students to make educated guesses about the meaning of unfamiliar words. It would become one solution for the students’ problem in comprehending the text especially for getting main idea, getting specific information from the text. Another research related to contextual clues has been done by Alfarini 2008 at SMUN 3 Kotabumi. The aim of her research was to find out the difference of students’ reading comprehension achievement with the students’ understanding about contextual clues. She found that the students’ mean scores within the experimental class were higher than the control class. She found that students’ understanding of contextual clues increased the students’ reading comprehension achievement. However, there was still one issue which has not been studied about understanding contextual clues strategy which related to the study about comprehending the descriptive text for the junior high school students and the influence of this strategy on the students’ reading comprehension achievement. In short, based on the explanation above, the researcher proposed her research by implementing contextual clues strategy in order to know whether or not contextual clues strategy can give the influence on the students’ reading comprehension achievement. Moreover, it was also hoped to overcome the students’ problems comprehending the descriptive text which was explained in the background of the problems.

2.2. Review of Related Literature