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The two sentences above were inaccurate as they employed absolutely and very. The use of these adverbs not only weakened vigor but also precision.
Plausible rectifications of these sentences were: 1 Practicing role-play requires the students to speak in front of class.
2 These two features are closely interrelated.
3. Clarity Errors
Checking clarity means searching for passages that are vague or ambiguous Blicq, 1986: 16. Thus, the use of unambiguous words and specific
terms will remove confusion and imprecision. There were 37 errors in this category. More vague words were found than general terms.
Table 4.8 The Percentage of the Clarity Error No.
Error Type Total
1. Synonym
26 9.74
2. General term
11 4.12
TOTAL
37 13.86
a. Synonym
Vague words are closely related with selecting the right synonym. McMahan 1984: 43 further states that synonyms often have different shades of
meaning and nuances. Thus, selecting the right word to derive the meaning intended can be difficult. Based on table 4.8, there were 26 vague words 9.74.
For example: 1 But, in usual practice, writing test is evaluated only based on the grammatical
error and the idea without the process how the students come to the result. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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2 Guessing will make them remember what the meaning of the unknown word longer.
The first sentence above seemed unclear since usual practice referred to the process of grading a composition. It would be more obvious if the student
employed standard procedure. Meanwhile, the second sentence showed that the student used not only a general word but also a somewhat everyday word. Make
was better replaced by enable since enable gave a more precise meaning. Plausible rectifications of the sentences were:
1 However, in standard procedure, writing test is evaluated only based on the grammatical error and the idea without the process of how the students come
to the result. 2 Guessing will enable them to remember the meaning of unfamiliar words
longer.
b. General Term
Thing is considered imprecise as it implies a quite general meaning. There were eleven general words 4.12 found in this category. For example:
1 It is expected that the study can give beneficial thing to the English teachers. 2 In a method it can be seen a list of things which may be done in a teaching-
learning process. Thing and things in the sentences above might convey broad meaning. The
students were unable to put a single meaningful and specific word. It indicated PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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that they were unsure of themselves. Plausible rectifications of the sentences were:
1. The study is expected to give beneficial input for the English teachers. 2. In a method can be seen a list of procedures which may be applied in a
teaching-learning process.
4. Concision Errors
