Application of clustering technique in writing analytical exposition text

Abstract

The objectives of the research were to find out: (1) whether or not the application of clustering technique enhances students’ ability in writing analytical exposition text in the eleventh grade of SMA Negeri 1 Pancarijang and (2) whether or not the application of clustering technique in writing analytical exposition text is interesting for the eleventh grade students of SMA Negeri 1 Pancarijang. This research employed a Quasi-experimental design that applied experimental and control group. The population of the research was the eleventh grade (XI) students of SMA Negeri 1 Pancarijang in academic years 2013-2014. A total number of population was 294 students,and two classes of them were taken as a sample by using random sampling technique, class XI IPA 1 as the experimental group and class XI IPA 3 as a control group. The result of data analysis showed that there wasa significant difference between achievement of the students who applied clustering technique and those who did not apply clustering technique (conventional technique) in writing analytical exposition text. It was proved by the mean score of the experimental group was higher than the control group in post-test (77.0 > 62.2). Furthermore, the result of the t-test value (5.382) was greater than t-table (α = 0.05; df = 64; t-table = 2.000) which means that H₁ was accepted. The data analysis of questionnaire showed that the students had high interest in the application of clustering technique in writing analytical exposition. It was supported by 22 students (66.7%) who were strongly interested and 11 students (33.3%) who were interested. The mean score of students’ answers in the questionnaire (87.0) was classified as a strongly interested category