THE USE OF MIND MAPPING TO IMPROVE THE WRITING SKILLS OF GRADE XII STUDENTS OF SMA N 2 YOGYAKARTA IN ACADEMIC YEAR OF 2016/2017

Abstract

This research was aimed at improving ability in writing report texts through mind mapping for Grade XII MIIA 7 students of SMA N 2 Yogyakarta in the academic year of 2016/2017.This particular research was categorized as action research. The actions were implemented in two cycles based on the class schedule. The researcher worked collaboratively with the English teacher, the students, and the collaborator. The subjects of the research were 32 students of class XII MIIA 7 of SMA N 2 Yogyakarta in the academic year of 2016/2017. The data of the study were in the form of qualitative and quantitative data. The qualitative data were obtained by observing the teaching and learning process and interviewing the students, the English teacher and the collaborator. The data were in the form of field notes, interview transcripts and photographs. Meanwhile, the quantitative data were acquired through conducting the pre-test and the post-test after Cycle I and Cycle II. The validity of the data was obtained by applying democratic validity, dialogic validity, catalytic validity and outcome validity. The research findings showed that the use of mind mapping in teaching writing report texts was able to improve the students’ writing skills. It included their abilities in generating ideas, vocabularies, grammar and mechanics. Teaching writing report texts using mind mapping could attract students’ attention and motivation. The students became more enthusiastic in writing after mind mapping was applied in the class.  Based on the quantitative data, the students’ mean score obtained in the pre-test was 65.2 and increased into 70.1 in the post-test of Cycle I and became 78.4 in the post-test of Cycle II. Then, the gain score was 8.3. It indicated that the students made a considerable improvement in writing report texts.