commit to user Based on the interview conducted by the researcher, most of the students
were interested in the English lesson, though their result of writing assignment was bad. Some of them reported that English was a difficult lesson because they
were confused with the grammar rule in writing, while during the lesson, the class activities was not conducive; some students did not give their full attention to the
teacher, they made noise, and etc. Besides, every student has different background and interest involving
economic level, intellectual capacities, home life, interests, and hopes. Some students who come from lower economic level realize that education is very
essential; they tend to study hard, because they have motivation to be better. Yet, others did not have interest to learn, or their parents did not understand that
education is important. It is different from students who have good facilities. The parents also have role to support their children‟s achievement by providing
students‟ facilities. Nevertheless, some students have problem because they get
affected by their surrounding environment or their parents did not give attention toward their achievement, although they come from higher economic level. Every
student has different characteristic to understand and to accept the lesson because they have different interest, home life, intellectual capacities, learning capacities,
attitude, talents, experience, hopes and dreams.
B. Research Method
1. Definition of Action Research
In conducting the study, the writer used Action Research. Kemmis 1983 in Hopkins, 1993: 44 defines action research is a form of self-reflective enquiry
done by participants in social including educational situations in order to improve the rationally and justice of the social or educational practices, understanding
about these practices, and the situations in which these practice are carried out. It is most empower when undertaken by the participant collaboratively.
Mills 2000: 6 defines action research as systematic inquiry conducted by the teacher or other individuals in teaching or learning environment to gather
commit to user information about and subsequently improve the ways their particular school
operates, how they teach, and how their students learn to bring the positive changes in the school.
In addition, Burns 1999: 30 states that action research is the application of the action toward problem solving finding in the certain situation viewed that it
improves the quality of action involving the collaboration between researcher, and practitioners. Similarly, Elliot in Hopkins, 1993: 45 says that action research
viewed to improve the quality of action, it does not impress to create the knowledge but it concern in the change of the practice especially the changing of
the situations. From the definitions above action research means a systematic inquiry
conducted collaboratively between the teacher and the researcher which aims to improve the quality of action to bring the positive changes in teaching and
learning process.
2. Characteristics of Action Research
Anne Burns 1999: 30 suggests a number of general features, which characterize the action research. They are:
a. Action Research is contextual, small- scale and localized – it defines and
investigates problems within a specific situation. b.
It is evaluative and reflective as it aims to bring about change and improvement.
c. It is participatory as it provides for collaborative investigation by terms of
colleagues, practitioners, and researchers. d.
Changes in practice are based on the collection of information or data which provides inputs change.
Meanwhile, Kemmis and McTaggart in Nunan 1992: 17 argue that there are three defining characteristics of action research: 1 it is carried out by
practitioners for self-purposes, classroom teacher. 2 It is done collaboratively. 3 that is aimed at changing things.
The characteristics of action research can be concluded as follows:
commit to user a.
Action research undertaken in small scale and localized which investigates certain problem in specific situation.
b. Action research is a form of evaluation and reflective an activity which
aims to change the system better. c.
Action research involves practitioners, researchers, or teachers in their own classroom collaboratively.
d. The changes in practice are supported by the data.
Based on the characteristics of action research above, this research was appropriately conducted as classroom action research in order to bring about
so cial and educational change and improvement in writing skill and students‟
learning attitude. This research was done collaboratively with an English Teacher of SMP Negeri 1 Juwiring, Klaten.
3. Model of Action Research
