DEVELOPING ENGLISH WRITING MATERIALS OF DESCRIPTIVE TEXT

BASED ON SCIENTIFIC APPROACH FOR GRADE X MULTIMEDIA

STUDENTS AT SMKN 1 DOLOK MASIHUL

AN ARTICLE

Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

for the Degree of Sarjana Pendidikan

By:
SITI LAILA BARKAH
Registration Number: 2161121044

ENGLISH AND LITERATURE DEPARTMENT

FACULTY OF LANGUAGES AND ARTS
STATE UNIVERSITY OF MEDAN
2021
DEVELOPING ENGLISH WRITING MATERIALS OF DESCRIPTIVE TEXT
BASED ON SCIENTIFIC APPROACH FOR GRADE X MULTIMEDIA
STUDENTS AT SMKN 1 DOLOK MASIHUL

*Siti Laila Barkah

**Dr. Isli Iriani Indiah Pane, S.Pd., M.Hum

ABSTRACT

Barkah, Siti Laila. Registration Number: 2161121044. Developing English

Writing Materials of Descriptive Text Based on Scientific Approach for Grade X
Multimedia Students at SMKN 1 Dolok Masihul. A Thesis: English Educational
Program, State University of Medan, 2021.

The aim of this study was to develop writing materials of descriptive text as
supporting learning for grade X multimedia students at SMKN 1 Dolok Masihul. The
research was conducted by using Research and Development which is adapted from
Borg, Gall and Gall (2003). The data was taken from the observation, questionnaires,
and interview. The materials were validated by an English lecture and an English
teacher by using validation sheets which is adapted from BSNP. The data were
collected by using descriptive analysis. The result of this study shows that: (1) the
existing materials do not support the students study program because the topics of the
materials are still general, (2) relevant writing materials are needed by students in
vocational school especially in multimedia study program. The materials are designed
by using Scientific Approach, (3) the developed writing materials by using Scientific
Approach has been validated with the score 3.60 from the first expert and 3.53 from
the second expert which is in the range of 3.50 < x ≤ 4.00. The writing descriptive text
materials have been developed in accordance to the students’ need by using Scientific
Approach.

Keywords: English writing materials, Scientific Approach, Vocational High School

*Graduate Status

** Lecturer Status
 INTRODUCTION

Background of Study

Writing is a process to share ideas or opinions from human brain into a sheet of

paper, it is also called as non-verbal communication. According to Dirgeyasa (2016),

writing is a difficult and complex process to do for many people. By reading and

doing all the guided exercises, the students will find themselves enjoy in writing.

English has some genres in language learning, one of them is descriptive text.

According to curriculum 2013 in English syllabus revised 2017, descriptive text is

one of genres which is learnt in senior high school. Generally, descriptive is a text

which describe about people, thing or place. Descriptive text describes how the

natures and characteristics of them.

In some cases, students get some problems and get difficulties in writing

especially in vocational school. This problem is caused by the lack of practicing and

some irrelevant texts that they learn. This happens because the book used by

vocational school is the same as high school, it is certainly not suitable because it

does not match with the students‟ need. However, one of the considerations in

developing materials is based on the students‟ needs (Brown, 1995).

Based on the observation conducted by the researcher during her internship

program, the students in the grade X of multimedia study program at SMKN 1 Dolok

Masihul use Buku Bahasa Inggris published by Pusat Kurikulum dan Perbukuan,

Balitbang, Kemendikbud, in 2017. The researcher also finds that the materials used

by the students in SMKN 1 Dolok Masihul is generally same with senior high school
materials, eventhough their need is different. They need text which is related to their

study program to build their vocabularies and ease them in learning English,

especially in writing descriptive text.

In addition, multimedia study program has promising job opportunities in this

era. While everything is based on computer system technology, talented people in the

multimedia field are the most sought after. Many professions can be born from

multimedia field such as operators, animator designers, programmers, content

creators, and many more. In the multimedia study program also includes office

administration within actually. Hence, beside able to operate the computer system

well, the multimedia students are also expected to be able to write and communicate

well to build relationship. This achievements can be assisted through the writing text

materials used by the students in the school. If the writing materials used is relevant

with the students needs, they will be easier to apply this in their real life. Based on the

problem stated above, the researcher will develop English writing materials of

descriptive text for grade X multimedia students at SMKN 1 Dolok Masihul.

RELATED LITERATURE REVIEW

Theoretical Framework

According to Harmer (2004: 4-5), there are four main elements in writing

process; planning, drafting, editing (reflecting and revising) and final version. Linse

(in Masitoh and Suprijadi 2015: 38)) also stated that writing is a combination of

process and product of discovering ideas, putting them on paper and working with
them until they are presented in manner that is polished and comprehensible ro

readers. Based on those definitions, it can be stated that writing is a process to deliver

some creative ideas from humans’ brain to be some texts on the paper sheets. In

produce a good writing, there will be some plans and number of revisions before its

release.

Harmer (2004:31) stated that writing encourage students to focus on accurate

language use and because they think as they write, it will provoke language

development as they resolve problems which the writing puts into their minds..

Hosseini (in Indrilla 2018: 405) have stated that by having a good writing ability, it

will give good impact in life. Through writing activity, people are required to read

more from various sources and to think creatively in developing the insight of their

knowledge widely.

According to Dirgeyasa (2016), descriptive text is a kind of written text which

has specific function to describe or illustrate some objects such as thing, person or

place vividly so that the reader can visualize the object described. Suryana (in

Dirgeyasa 2016: 57) also stated that descriptive text is also used to create image of

the people, place, even of units, times of the days, or seasons. From those theories,

the researcher argues that descriptive text is a text which has function to describe or

illustrate about thing, person or place based on the appearances and characteristics of

them in which write based on visualization and experiences of the writers.

According to Permendikbud nomor 81 A tahun 2013, an approach that used in

curriculum 2013 namely scientific approach. Based on this curriculum, there are five
main learning steps that need to implied in the learning process through this scientific

approach namely observing, questioning, exploring, associating, and

communicating.NAccording to Hosnan (2014), the characteristics of scientific

approach are ; a) Student-centered learning., b) Involves scientific process skills in

constructing a concept, law, or process., c) Involving cognitive processes that have

the potential to stimulate intellectual development, especially higher order thinking

skills (HOTS) of students., d) Develop students’ character. Based on the theory, the

researcher will try to design writing materials of descriptive text for grade X

multimedia students based on scientific approach by paying full attention to its

characteristics.

English for Specific Purposes (ESP) can be defined as a teaching and learning

English as a second or foreign language for the purpose of using it in a particular

domain. According to Belcher (in Rahayuningsih, D. 2016: 27) ESP is an attempt to

help learners accomplish their academic and occupational needs and goals. According

to Duddley-Evans (in Rahayuningsih, D. 2016: 27), there are eight components in

today’s concept of needs analysis which have been grouped into five broad areas

including : 1) Target situation analysis and objective needs analysis., 2) Linguistic

analysis, discourse analysis., 3) Subjective needs analysis, learners’ wants, means,

subjective needs- factors that affect the way they learn., 4) Present situation analysis.,

5) Means analysis.

In accordance with the writing of a module issued by the Directorate of

Vocational Secondary Education, Directorate General of Primary and Secondary

Education, Ministry of National Education in 2003, teaching materials have several

characteristics, namely self- instructional, self-contained, stand alone, adaptive, and

user friendly (Widodo and Jasmadi in Lestari , 2013: 2). Hyland (in Tomlinson 2017:

400) stated that designing new writing materials can be an extremely satisfying

activity. It not only offers students a more tailored learning experience but also

demonstrates a professional competence and perhaps fulfills a creative need in

teachers.

Conceptual Framework

In this research, the researcher will develop a writing material about descriptive

text for grade X multimedia students at SMKN. 1 Dolok Masihul. The material will

be develop is the existing material in the book Bahasa Inggris published by Pusat

Kurikulum dan Perbukuan, Balitbang, Kemendikbud, in 2017. The researcher does

not design the new materials, but only develop and still follow the syllabus of English

in 2013 curriculum which is apply the scientific approach.

The researcher develop the English writing materials of descriptive text based

on scientific approach by conducting some steps, they are : the first is gathering

information from SMKN. 1 Dolok Masihul both of the students and English teacher

and also English learning activity which is taken from observation, questionnaires

and interview. The second is analyzing the students‟ need based on the data and

informations. The third is designing the English writing materials of descriptive text

based on the syllabus and the students‟ need by using scientific approach. In this step,

the researcher tries to looking for some texts about the historical building and the
famous place which is related to multimedia study program. Beside, the researcher

also create a better contents include the worksheet and also design a lesson plan to

apply this material development. The fourth is evaluating or validating the developed

material by experts. The fifth is revising the material based on the experts‟

suggestions. The last is revised-developing material (final product), this product will

be given to the English teacher of SMKN.1 Dolok Masihul and will be shared to the

students for apply in the English class.

In this case, the researcher is going to develop the appropriate English

writing materials of descriptive text for grade X multimedia students by using

Research and Development (R&D) proposed from Borg and Gall as the research

design. Those consist of six steps, they are: gathering information and data,

analyzing data, designing media, validating by expert, revising media and final

product. The researcher hopefully this product will supports the English teacher

in SMKN.1 Dolok Masihul as the supporting material for learning process in

writing ability.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This research was conducted by using research and development method

(R&D). Borg and Gall (in Sumarsono,P. and friends. 2017: 30) stated that “R&D is

the method which does not satisfy the curiosity on something unknown, but finds

further act to develop or validate educational product”. This research was conducted

by six phases of R&D, they are: 1) Gathering information and data, 2) Analyzing
data, 3) Designing the product, 4) Validating by experts, 5) Revising the materials, 6)

Revised- developing (final product).

The sources of data used in this research were the existing materials used by the

teacher in the classroom, teacher’s interview, students’ questionnaires, syllabus and

lesson plan. The data were collected by observing the existing English writing

materials which is being used by the grade X students of multimedia study program,

administering questionnaires to the students and materials validators, and also

conducting interview to the teacher of English subject.

Techniques of Analysis Data

1) Analyzing the Observation and Interview

In this case, the data were analyzed by using qualitative analysis form. The data

which were collected from the observation and interview were analyzed as the

benchmark before developing the materials

2) Analyzing the Need Analysis Questionnaires

In this case, the data were analyzed by using frequencies and percentages. The

highest percentages of the answers of each question were considered representing

the students’ needs. The percentages were calculated by dividing the frequency by

the total of the respondents and then the results is multiplied by 100%.

3) Analyzing the Validators’ Questionnaires

In this case, the data were analyzed by using likert-scale which is generally

appropriate for obtaining respondents’ views, judgments, and opinions about

 almost any aspects of language learning (Brown and Rodgers, 2002). There was

also a space for the experts to give suggestions and comments related to the

material.

RESEARCH FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION

Research Findings

The final product has completed after revising the writing descriptive text

materials. The writing descriptive text materials have already based on students’

needs and appropriate to use in the teaching-learning process. Furthermore, it is able

to enhance the students’ enthusiasm and achievement in learning writing descriptive

text to Multimedia Study Program.

Discussion

The materials that were developed in this research is related to the concept of

English for Specific Purposes (ESP) proposed by Hutchinson and Waters (1987:8) .

For the research design, this research was conducted by Research and Development

(R&D) which is adapted from Borg, Gall and Gall (2003). The R&D research design

was conducted by six phases: 1) Gathering Information and Data, 2) Analyzing Data,

3) Designing the Product, 4) Validating by Experts, 5) Revising the Materials, 6)

Revised- Developing (Final Product).

The materials developed by English for Specific Purposes (ESP) concept were
developed according to the students’ needs in multimedia study program. All of the

contents in the book of material design were developed based on the results of need

analysis which is most of the students really want the writing descriptive text

materials related to multimedia study program by using scientific approach. This

research linked with the previous research which was conducted by Gusti Pandji

Sundana (2017) who found that using authentic materials in teaching descriptive

writing had a significant role in improving students’ writing skill.

The first step of conducting this research is gathering information and data. The

data was taken through observation from existing materials and syllabus. Then, the

data was also taken from questionnaires that were distributed to 36 students in the

grade X of multimedia study program, and interview that was hold with the English

teacher.

After the data was collected, the researcher designed the materials which are

consisted of three chapters. In designing materials, the researcher follow the syllabus

of English in 2013 curriculum which is apply the scientific approach. Each chapter

developed based on the basic competences 3.4 and 4.4 in which the texts are about

the descriptive of historical building and the famous places, the materials were

developed to support the students in learning English especially for understanding the

text. The texts were developed are “The Museum of Science and Technology TMII”,

“Trans Studio Bandung”, and “Multimedia Art Museum Moscow”. The texts were

developed based on the five steps of scientific approach namely observing,

questioning, exploring, associating, and communicating. The materials developed by

following characteristics of scientific approach which is adapted from Hosnan (2014).

The characteristics are : a) Students-centered learning, b) Involves scientific process

skills in constructing a concept, law or process, c) Involving cognitive processes that

have the potential to stimulate intellectual development, especially higher order

thinking skills (HOTS) of students, and d) Develop students’ character.

Then, after the materials have been developed, the materials were evaluated by the

experts. The material evaluation had been proposed with the standard of material

evaluation which was taken from the criteria of BSNP. There are 32 items distributed

to the expert that covered four aspects of material evaluation proposed by BSNP: 1)

The appropriateness of content, 2) The appropriateness of language, 3) the

appropriateness of presentation, and 4) The appropriateness of layout.

The final score of four aspects in designing this materials is 3,60 from the first

expert and 3,53 from the second expert which is in the range of 3.50 < x ≤ 4.00. The

range shows that the developed materials entitled “Developing English Writing

Materials of Descriptive Text Based on Scientific Approach for Grade X Multimedia

Students at SMKN 1 Dolok Masihul” is considered as appropriate with the predicate

of “Very Good”. After that, there were suggestions from the experts to evaluate the

materials. Finally, the final product has been developed in accordance to the students’

need by using Scientific Approach.

 CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS

Conclusions

Based on research findings, it can be concluded that the materials have been

developed with the basic competence demands and the students’ need in

accordance with their major in Vocational School. The data were taken from

observation, questionnaire and interview in order to identify the needs of students

and difficulties in learning writing descriptive text in English. The subject of the

research was the grade X students of Multimedia Study Program at SMKN 1

Dolok Masihul. There were 36 students’ as the respondents in the grade X of

Multimedia Program. The materials were arranged by following the steps of

scientific approach and the research was conducted by using Research and

Development (R&D) theory which is adapted from Borg, Gall and Gall (2003).

In conclusion, based on the experts’ validation , the developed English writing

materials of descriptive text based on scientific approach was appropriate to be

used by the grade X students of multimedia study program at SMKN 1 Dolok

Masihul. The final score of the four aspects in designing the materials is 3,60 from

the first expert and 3,53 from the second expert which is in the range of 3.50 < x ≤

4.00. It means that the developed materials is considered as appropriate with the

predicate of “Very Good” based on likert scale.

.
 Suggestions

The final product of this research is writing descriptive text materials for grade

X multimedia students at SMKN 1 Dolok Masihul. The result of this research

is expected to be beneficial for the English teacher at Vocational High School

and for other Material Developers. The first, it is suggested that the English

teachers can develop their own materials for the students based on the need

analysis that they have conducted. The process of needs analysis can be

through classroom observation during teaching and learning process in

accordance to students’ needs, experiences, and expectations. Besides, the

teacher can also add the other various kinds of reference materials that relevant

to the student's study program in order to support the learning process

especially in learning English. The second, it is suggested for other developers

to conduct the students’ need analysis before developing materials for

vocational high school in order to create the appropriate materials to their study

program. It is important to understand the needs of the students and consider to

the real context of their field so that the products will be useful for their future

carrier.
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