Keywords: error, types of error, punctuation, kinds of punctuation, and dominant.
Error is systematic deviation of standard norm or form of the target language

that cannot be self-corrected result of lack of knowledge. Error is kind of dangerous
thing in writing. The students still do error in using punctuation. However,
punctuation is really important. Good writing needs good punctuation, and good
punctuation should appear in good writing.
The thesis was conducted to describe punctuation errors in writing that were
made by of students of English Department FKIP UNLAM Banjarmasin in writing II
course academic year 2016/2017. This research used descriptive quantitative research.
It used cluster purposive sampling technique with 27 students who took writing II
course. The instrument used written test which consist of 60 test items. The test
conducted three times. The errors were categorized based on Dulay, Burt, and
Krashen.
The researchers found 819 errors of students in using punctuation marks. It
was found from all types of error and ten kinds of punctuation. The specific data of
types of error in using punctuation marks were 506 errors (61.79%) of omission, 197
errors (24.05%) of misformation, 92 errors (11.23%) of addition, and 24 errors
(2.93%) of misordering.
The dominant error of kinds of punctuation was semicolon 140 errors
(17.09%). It was followed by colon with 121 errors (14.77%). The third error was
hyphen with 108 errors (13.19%). All percentages of kinds of punctuation were
dominated by omission.
The researcher gives some suggestions based of these problems. The students
should pay attention in using punctuations in semicolon, colon, and hyphen; because
they are dominant errors. The lecturers must pay attention to students’ errors in using
punctuation and give attention to correct it. The researcher suggestion to the next
researchers of the similar area is to analyze more about punctuation.