ABSTRACT

Silalahi, Richa Caroline. 2018. Ability in Using Grammatical Cohesive Devices and Coherence in Writing Argumentative Essay Made by English Department Students at Lambung Mangkurat University Batch 2015. Sarjana’s Thesis, English Department, Faculty of Training and Education, Lambung Mangkurat University, Banjarmasin. Advisors: (I) Dr. Fatchul Mu’in, M. Hum.(II) Asmi Rusmanayanti, S. Pd., M. Sc.

Key words: Ability, writing, argumentative essay, cohesive devices, coherence.

This study describes the ability of students in using grammatical cohesive devices and coherence in writing argumentative essay by employing mixed-method. Research population was the English Department students’ batch 2015. The samples were 30 students of Literary Analysis (A1) class. The data obtained through the students’ writing of argumentative essay. It was analyzed based on Halliday and Hasan theory (1976) of grammatical cohesive devices and rating scale for scoring coherence by Bachman & Palmer (1996).

This study showed that the ability of the sixth semester batch 2015 students at Lambung Mangkurat University was fair. In general, many students were able to write argumentative essay well. Furthermore, the use of grammatical cohesive devices on the tests was quite high. The result of both tests indicated that the use of reference was the highest of other cohesion devices and the second highest cohesion device used was conjunction. In addition, the students’ ability in building coherence was at Moderate Scale. It meant that some students still had problem in connecting their ideas in writing argumentative essays.

It is suggested for the lecturers to evaluate students’ writing, construct remedial teaching and encourage the students during writing activity. In addition, the students need to be aware in writing a cohesive and coherent essay and never stop learning and practicing writing.