Identification of the Problems

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D. Formulation of the Problems

Based on the background, identification and limitation of the problems above, the research problem can be formulated as follows “How can a picture series be used to improve students’ recount writing ability in grade VIII students of SMP Pembangunan Piyungan?”

E. Objective of the Study

The objective of the research is to improve the students’ writing ability of grade VIII of SMP Pembangunan Piyungan by applying picture series as the media in the teaching and learning process.

F. Significance of the Study

This study offers some benefits in both theoritical significance and practical significance. Theoritically it is expected that the final result of this research is useful for enriching the research in English teaching and learning for Junior High School students, especially in writing skill, and particularly in recount text. This research is also expected to be useful as a bibliography variation to the readers in order to give more knowledge in relation to English teaching and learning and teaching writing: how a picture series can improve Junior High School students’ writing ability. Practically, this research is expected to bring some benefits. For the headmaster of the junior high school, it will provide some inputs to improve the quality of English teaching and learning in the school. For the teacher, the result of the study will give general picture about the success and effectiveness of teacher’s method in teaching writing. For the students, this research will develop 8 students’ writing skills. For the researcher it will be used as an experience on how to conduct research. For the other researchers in the same topic, this research hopefully can be input to their own research. 9

CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This study aims to improve writing skill of the eight grade students of SMP Pembangunan Piyungan by using picture series. To support the understanding of the problem formulated in Chapter I, some related theories of teaching writing, writing skills and picture series are reviewed in this chapter.

A. Review of Theories

1. Teaching Writing

This subchapter presents some relevant theories about teaching writing in Junior High School.

a. Principle and Approach in Teaching Writing

Teaching writing skill and other skills speaking, listening, and reading are different. Each skill is taught with its own technique. Some natures and techniques in teaching writing are presented here. Nation 2009: 93-95 proposes four principles of teaching writing which can be used to evaluate writing course. 1 Meaning-focused Input This principle considers that students should bring experience and knowledge to their writing. Writing will be successful and meaningful for the students if they well prepared for what they are going to write. 2 Meaning-focused Output This principle considers that students have to practice a lot in different kinds of writing with delivering the message on their writing. They should increase their knowledge and ability in language and computers to improve their