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difficulties in learning foreign language. Error analysis may be carried out in order to find out how well someone learns a language, find out how well someone knows
language, and obtain information on common difficulties in language learning. Based on the reason above the writer chooses “An Error Analysis on Using
Simple Past Tense Made by the Eleventh Year Students of The Ark School Sidikalang” as the title of this thesis.
This study tries to describe and analyze the areas of difficulties in written English in sentences made by senior high school students. This includes errors on
tenses in student’s writing assignment. Errors on tenses viewed from morphology and syntax will be analyzed. Then classified the errors into type based on surface
strategy taxonomy; omission, addition, misformation, and misordering.
1.2.Problem of the Study
Based on the background of the study above, the writer finds some problems that are going to be answered as:
a. What type of errors on the use of simple past tense in recount writing are made
by the eleventh year students at The Ark School Sidikalang? b.
What are the causes of errors on the use of simple past tense in recount writing made by the eleventh year students at The Ark School Sidikalang?
1.3. Objectives of the Study
Based on the statement of the problems above the writer has some purposes: a.
To identify and classify the errors on the use of simple past tense in recount writing made by the eleventh year students at The Ark School Sidikalang.
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b. To find out the causes of errors in applying simple past tense in sentences.
1.4. Scope of the Study
In this research, the writer will focus the analysis on the types of errors and their causes on the use of simple past tense in recount writing made by the eleventh
year students at The Ark School Sidikalang.
1.5. Significance of the Study
This study will be useful both for the teachers and students. a.
To the Teachers The result of this study is intended to become an input for them for the
importance of giving more exercises about simple past tense and also can improve their teaching technique when teaching grammar.
b. To the Students
The writer believes that the students will be able to apply simple past tense correctly especially when writing recount text.
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CHAPTER II REVIEW OF LITERATURE
2.1 Theoritical Concepts
Making mistakes when studying a language is a part of process to master it. Making errors is understandable as long as we as learners try hard to improve our
ability and learn from any mistakes we make. Error may occur in all components of language especially in applying grammar. The learners often do not realize that they
make mistake because of ignorance and lack of mastery in using grammar.
2.2 The Difference between Error and Mistake
According to Corder 1967 cited by Ellis 2008, a ‘mistake’ is a deviation in learner language that occurs when learners fail to perform their competence. It is a
lapse that reflects processing problems. An error, on the other hand, is a deviation in learner language which results from lack of knowledge of the correct rule pp. 971,
961. Error and mistake are two different words that are actually synonyms of each
other. They also mean the same thing, something that is done incorrectly or is wrong. This could be due to bad judgment, inattention or may due to lack of focus. The main
difference between the two is the context that they are used in. Examples of error:
- I made an error when measuring the dimensions.
- The computer produced an error when the data was incorrect.
- His speech contained several factual errors.
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- I made an error in my calculations.
- The paper contains numerous spelling errors.
- I saw a documentary of horrifying cases of hospital error
- The shortstop was charged with an error.
Example of mistake: -
I mistook him for his brother. -
Dont mistake me, I mean exactly what I said. -
The auctioneer mistook my nod for a bid, and I ended up buying a painting I dont even like.
- I was so mistaken about him.
- I made a mistake when I married him.
2.3 The Previous Studies
