USING MIND MAPPING TECHNIQUE TO IMPROVE THE

DESCRIPTIVE TEXT WRITING ABILITY OF THE SEVENTH

GRADE STUDENTS OF SMPN 1 PASIRIAN

THESIS

BY
ROCHMI ISTYOWATI
NPM 212.10.4.0164

ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY OF MALANG

GRADUATE PROGRAM
ENGLISH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
DECEMBER 2014

USING MIND MAPPING TECHNIQUE TO IMPROVE THE

STUDENTS ABILITY OF CLASS VII A SMPN 1 PASIRIAN
TO WRITE DESCRIPTIVE TEXT

THESIS
Presented to
Islamic University of Malang
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
Magister in English Language Education

By
Rochmi Istyowati
NPM 212.10.4.0164

ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY OF MALANG

GRADUATE PROGRAM
ENGLISH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
December 2014

ii

This is to certify that the thesis of Rochmi Istyowati has been approved by the
advisors for further approval by the Board of Examiners

Malang, 25 November 2014

Advisor I,

Dr. Mirjam Anugerahwati, MA

iii

This is to certify that the thesis of Rochmi Istyowati has been approved by
the board of Examiners on 8 December 2014

Malang, 8 December 2014

Board of Examiners,

Dr. Alfan Zuhairi, M.Pd, Examiner I

Dr. Mirjam Anugerahwati MA, Examiner II

Prof. Dr. H. Dimjati Ahmadin, M.Pd, Examiner III

Acknowledged by
Director,

Head of the Program

Prof. Dr. H. M. Bashori Muchsin, M.Si

NPP. 185.02.00008

Dr. Hj. Mutmainnah Mustofa, M.Pd

NPP. 189.02.00017

iv

MOTTO AND DEDICATION

Motto:
Praying and being patient always make us happy.
The life becomes very meaningful if we look for Allahs blessings
only.

This Thesis is dedicated to:

My Beloved father M. Rochid
My Beloved husband Drs. Heri Priyono
My Beloved son Amridio Zulhilmi S
and My Beloved daughter Erinisa
Yuniar Sakina

DECLARATION OF AUTHORSHIP
Bismillahirrohmanirrohiem
Herewith, I:

Name

: Rochmi Istyowati

NPM

: 212.10.4.0164

Department

: English Education

Address

: Jl. Mega RT.01/ RW.01 Kebonsari Jarit Candipuro Lumajang

Declare that:
1) This thesis has never been submitted to any other tertiary education institution for
any other academic degree.
2) This thesis is the sole work of the author and has not been written in collaboration
with any other person, nor does it include, without due acknowledgment, the
work of any other person.
3) If at a later time it is found that this thesis is a product of plagiarism, I am willing
to accept any legal consequences that may be imposed to me.
Malang, ...........

Rochmi Istyowati
NPM 212.10.4.0164

vi

ABSTRACT
Istyowati, Rochmi. 2014. Using Mind Mapping Technique to Improve The
Descriptive Text Writing Ability of the Seventh Grade Students of SMPN 1
Pasirian. Thesis, English Education Department, Postgraduate Program,
Islamic University of Malang. Advisors: Dr. Mirjam Anugerahwati, MA
Key Words: writing ability, descriptive text, Mind Mapping
This study was intended to improve the first year students ability in writing a
descriptive text at SMPN 1 Pasirian Lumajang through Mind Mapping Technique. It
is due to the fact that most SMPN 1 Pasirian students found some difficulties in
getting idea, developing idea, using good grammar, besides they have low motivation
and interest in writing. The design of this study was a classroom action research
which consists of 4 stages, namely planning, implementing, observing, and reflecting
action.
The subject of this study were class VII in the 2013-2014 academic year
consisting 36 students. There were 4 instruments used to collect the data needed, i.e
interview, questionnaire, observation checklist and writing test. The criteria of
success of this study were (1) 75% students participated in the teaching and learning
process, (2) all the students achieved the minimum passing grade 73. The research set
3 indicators to know whether the students were active or not in teaching learning
process. The indicators are: (1) The students answer the teachers question orally, (2)
the students do the teachers instruction, and (3) the students are able to write a
descriptive text. The students were considered active if they met three or two of the
indicators. The result of the preliminary that was conducted on 14 and 16 of April
2014, showed that the most of the students often made mistakes in content,
organization, vocabulary, grammar, and mechanics. In addition, their paragraphs
were very poor or still far from sufficient.
The findings of the study indicated that in cycle I, the study did not meet the
criteria of success. Concerning the first criterion, it was only 70.25% students who
followed the teaching learning process actively. In connection with the second
criterion, 20 students (55.5%) had achieved a score of equal to or more than 73 and
the rest, 16 students (44.5%) got score bellow 73. Because the first cycle did not meet
the criteria of success, so the researcher carried out the second cycle. The findings of
the study indicated that in cycle II, the criteria of success had been achieved.
Concerning the first criterion, 84.02% students participated actively in the teaching

vii

and learning process, in addition to the second criterion, all students got score equal
to even greater than 73 in the writing test.
Based on the finding above, it can be concluded that mind mapping technique
has been successful in improving the ability in writing descriptive text of SMPN 1
Pasirian students. Then it was suggested to the English teachers to apply the strategy
or the technique teaching and learning writing to other genres. The future researcher
are suggested to conduct the research to other language subject matters at SMP / MTs
level.

viii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First and foremost, I want to express my deepest gratitude to Allah SWT for
His grace, particularly giving me strength to complete this Thesis. My prayer and
gratitude go to the prophet, Muhammad SAW who introduced Islam as the main
Foundation to run this life.
I also do intend to express my gratitude to:
1. Dr. Mirjam Anugerahwati, MA, my thesis advisor. For her patience and
valuable guidance. I have learned so much from her.
2. All lecturers of Post graduate Program of English Education Department
Islamic University of Malang for assisting me in elevating my knowledge
and giving me meaningful experience during my learning process.
3. H. Mahfud, S.Pd, M.Pd, the headmaster of SMPN 1 Pasirian Lumajang.
4. Poerwono, S.Pd, the English teacher as may collaborator
5. My beloved father(M. Rochid), my beloved husband (Drs. Heri Priyono)
who always give me support a lot, my beloved son (Amridio Zulhilmi
Saifinnuha) and my beloved daughter (Erinisa Yuniar Sakina), thank you
for always being around and praying for me all the time for my success.
6. All my fellas that have been helping me finish this thesis especially,
Lastri, Faiz, Sapti, Mila, Wiwik, Endang, Ida, Fitri and Mr. Agus.
The researcher really realizes that this thesis is not perfect yet, of course.
So I hope some constructive and positive criticisms that can improve the
quality of this thesis. The writer also hopes that this thesis will be useful for
reader especially for those involved in the field of education.
Malang, December 2014

The Writer

ix

TABLE OF CONTENT

Tittle ............................................................................................................

iii

Approval by the Examiners ....

iv

Motto and Dedication

Declaration of Authorship

vi

vii

Acknowledgement

ix

Table of Content

List of Appendixes

xiii

Approval by the Advisors

Abstract

CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background

...

....

1.2 Research problem

1.3 The objective of the study
1.4 Significance of the study

CHAPTER II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1 Review of Theoretical Background

..

2.1.1

Language Skill

2.1.2

Writing Skill

2.1.3

Teaching Writing in Junior High School

10

2.1.4

The General Concept of Mind Mapping

12

13

2.1.4.1 Definition of Mind mapping

13

17

18

2.1.4.2 Mind Mapping Strategy

2.1.5

Text

2.1.6

Descriptive Text

2.1.7

Classroom Action Research

19

2.1.8

The Process of writing

....

19

21

....

24

2.1.8.1 Pre Writing

2.1.8.2 Writing

2.1.8.3 Post Writing

2.1.9

Teachers role in the Process of Writing

25

....

26

................

27

29

32

33

33

2.1.10 Mind Mapping in Writing Instruction

2.2 Review of Previous study
CHAPTER III. RESEARCH METHOD
3.1 Research design

3.2 Research Setting and Subject of the Study

3.3 Research Procedure
3.3.1

Preliminary Study

35

3.3.2

Planning the Action

36

36

3.3.2.2 The Lesson Plan

39

3.3.2.3 The Instrument

....

40

40

41

3.3.2.4 Preparing the scoring guide

41

3.3.2.1 The teaching Strategy

3.3.2.3.1

Observation checklist

3.3.2.3.2

The writing test

xi

3.3.2.5 The criteria of success

3.3.3

Implementation of the Action

3.3.4

Observation of the Action

3.3.5

Reflection

42

43

...

43

44

CHAPTER IV. THE RESULT OF THE RESEARCH

4.1 Findings
4.1.1

45

45

Finding in Cycle I

4.1.1.1 The Students Participation in the Teaching Learning Process

45

4.1.1.2 The students writing Achievement

49

52

4.1.2

Finding in Cycle II

4.1.2.1 The Students Participation in the Teaching Learning Process

52

4.1.2.2 The students writing Achievement

55

CHAPTER V. DISCUSSIONS
5.1 Discussion on the Activities in Implementing Mind Mapping

58

5.2 Discussion on the Improvement of Students Writing Ability

61

CHAPTER VI. CONCLUSION

6.1 Conclusion

63

6.2 Suggestions

65

65

65

67

6.2.1

To the English Teacher

6.2.2

To Other Researcher

REFERENCES

xii

LISTS OF APPENDIXES

1. a. Teacher Interview ................................................

69

b. Teacher Interview Result

70

....................................

71

72

77

78

79

89

6. a. Observations Checklist Cycle I Meeting 1 .

98

2. The Preliminary Result

3. Picture of Animals

4. a. Students Final Score in Cycle I

b. Students Final Score in Cycle II
5. a. Lesson Plan Cycle I
b. Lesson Plan Cycle II

b. Observations Checklist Cycle I Meeting 2 .

100

c. Observations Checklist Cycle I Meeting 3 .

102

d. Observations Checklist Cycle I Meeting 4 .

104

7. a. Observations Checklist Cycle II Meeting 1

106

b. Observations Checklist Cycle II Meeting 2

108

c. Observations Checklist Cycle II Meeting 3

110

d. Observations Checklist Cycle II Meeting 4 ...

112

8. a. Sample Students Writing in Cycle I

....

114

....

116

118

120

123

b. Sample Students Writing in Cycle II

9. Descriptive Text

10. The Photos of Implementing Action Research

11. The Students Writing Test

xiii

12. a. The Students Questionnaire

134

137

140

b. The result of Questionnaire

13. Research Decree

xiv