Freandini, Rizqy Adinda. 2025. An Analysis of Writing Difficulties Faced by ELESP Batch 2022 Students in the Creative Writing Course. Sarjana’s Thesis. English Language Education Study Program, Faculty of Teachers’ Training and Education, Lambung MangkuratUniversity, Banjarmasin. The first advisor: Dr. Moh. Yamin, M.Pd., the second advisor: Fahmi Hidayat, M.Pd.

Keywords: Creative Writing, Students Difficulties, Writing Difficulties

?Writing is a fundamental skill for students, especially those studying English, as it allows them to express ideas and communicate effectively. However, mastering writing can be challenging due to the complexity of its components, such as vocabulary, grammar, organization, and creativity. Many students face difficulties in expressing their ideas clearly and creatively, particularly in a second language context. This study focuses on the writing difficulties experienced by English Language Education Study Program ELESP students in the Creative Writing course at Lambung Mangkurat University. The researcher chose this topic because initial observations revealed that many ELESP students struggle with generating ideas, organizing content, and maintaining language accuracy, which hinder their ability to write creatively and confidently.

The researcher employed a qualitative descriptivemethod, collecting data through questionnaires and interviews involving students from the 2022 cohort. The participants of this research were 41 students who took creative writing in the A2 class. The findings revealed that students struggled with limited vocabulary, difficulty generating and organizing ideas, and maintaining coherence in their writing. These challenges were further compounded by emotional barriers such as fear of making mistakes, low confidence, and anxiety, which affected students across all performance levels. Both internal factors (like cognitive strategies and motivation) and external factors (such as insufficient feedback, lack of collaborative activities, and limited creative writing guidance) were found to shape these difficulties.

Based on these findings, it is suggested that students in the English Education Study Program develop regular reading and writing habits beyond class assignments to strengthen their skills. Engaging with a wide variety of reading materials, expanding vocabulary, and joining supportive writing communities can help students become more confident and creative in their writing.