Keywords: Ability, Writing, Descriptive text.

This thesis is aimed to describe the ability of the eighth grade students of
SMPN 27 Banjarmasin in writing descriptive text. The subject of this research is
the students of SMPN 27 Banjarmasin especially the eighth grade students in the
academic year 2016/2017. This research used the descriptive quantitative method.
The writing test is used to collect the data. The test was administered twice with
the same level of test. The total number of population are 152 students and
divided into five classes. The sample technique uses cluster purposive sampling.
One classroom out of five classes is chosen. It is VIIIC consists 28 students.
The results of the research show the ability of eighth grade students of
SMPN 27 Banjarmasin classified into fair category in writing descriptive text.
Based on the category used, the data shows that the ability of eighth grade
students in writing descriptive text, as follows: There was no student (0%) who
classified into excellent category. Then, there were 13 student (46,4%) who
classified into good category. 15 students (53,6%) who classified into fair
category. Last, there was no students (0%) who classified into less and poor
category. The researcher found that many eighth grade students still had problem
in choosing the appropriate words and arranging sentences unity in writing
descriptive text.
The researcher would like to suggest that the English teachers should give
attention and teach more about how to choose appropriate words and arrange
sentences based on grammatical form to the students, especially to improve the
diction and sentences unity aspects.