Identification of the Problem

C. Limitation of the Problem

Based on the problems above, the researcher needs to conduct an action research study. The researcher assumes that the problem here is about the technique. The students need a technique which can make them enjoy learning writing in the class. If they have an appropriate technique to write, it will help them to make their own writing. The mind mapping can help students to explore their mind. Through the mind mapping the students can be supported to express what they want to write freely. The researcher believes that the mind mapping is a good technique in conducting writing skill. By conducting the action research which implements the mind mapping, it is expected that the researcher will be able to improve the stud ents‟ writing skill. That is why in this research the researcher only limits the problem on the use of the mind mapping technique to improve the students‟ writing skill.

D. Formulation of the Problem

In line with the limitation of the problem as mentioned above, the problem is formulated as follows. How is the mind mapping technique applied in the classroom to improve the students‟ writing skill in the English teaching- learning process at MAN Yogyakarta III?

E. Objective of the Study

Based on the formulation of the problem, the objective of the research is using the mind mapping technique to improve the students‟ writing skill in the English teaching-learning process at MAN Yogyakarta III.

F. Significance of the Research

1. For the students of class XE of MAN Yogyakarta III, it will be an effort to improve their writing skill. 2. For English teachers of MAN Yogyakarta III, the result of this study can be used as a reference to increase English teachers‟ writing competence in English teaching-learning. 3. For other researchers, the research can give general knowledge of how to improve students‟ writing skill. The research also can be used as the foundation for the next research. 8

CHAPTER II LITERATURE REVIEW

A. Theoretical Description

This chapter discusses some relevant theories which are related to the study. Those are divided into the nature of writing, mind mapping, and teaching writing using mind mapping.

1. Writing a. The Nature of Writing

Writing is an activity of exploring opinions and ideas into words. It includes the organization of words, phrases, clauses, and sentences into coherent and cohesive paragraphs and texts. There is no doubt that writing is the most difficult skill for all language users: foreign, second, and even for first language. Writing needs a well preparation and a lot of practices. According to Richards and Renandya 2002: 309,written language is complex at the level of the clause. Writing consists of many constituent parts: content, organization, originality, style, fluency, accuracy, or using appropriate rhetorical forms of discourse. In relation to writing, Brown 2001: 335 states that writing makes the product through thinking, drafting, and revising. It means that in producing written language, the writer should follow those steps to produce a final product. Writing is a skill that needs a process so that ideas that have been possessed can be expressed through writing. It needs in teaching-learning process to made the teaching-learning process can be done well. Certainly, writing in English is not easy. Expressing ideas is not enough, because the ideas still have to be told in English. For that reason, a technique that can support the learning process is needed.

b. Micro-skills of English Writing

To increase the writing skill of the students, the teacher must be able to guide the students in upgrading the competence of their writings. The subdivisions of writing skills into macro and micro-skills have been proposed by several experts. Spratt et al. 2005, state writing involves several sub- skills. Some of these are related to accuracy. Accurate writing involves spelling correctly, forming letters correctly, writing legibly, punctuating correctly, using correct layouts, choosing the right vocabulary, using grammar correctly, joining sentences correctly and using paragraph correctly. In composing the writing product, Brown 2001 states the compositions that should be included; they are meeting certain standards of prescribed English