Using Picture Series to Improve the Ability of Tenth Graders of SMK Negeri 4 Malang in Writing Recount Texts

ABSTRACT Lestari, Arin Yunia Nur. 2016. Using Picture Series to Improve the Ability of Tenth Graders of SMK Negeri 4 Malang in Writing Recount Texts. Thesis, EnglishDepartment, Faculty of Letters, State University of Malang. Advisors: (I)Prof. Dr. Gunadi Harry Sulistyo, M.A. (II) Prof. Dr. Nur Mukminatien, M.Pd. Key Words: writing ability, recount text, picture series, improving The preliminary study showed that students of SMK Negeri 4 Malang had problems in writing activity. The problems were in the organizing and developing theideas to make recount texts. The problems happened because of some reasons, suchas there was no strategy to help students to write recount texts. Therefore, toovercome the problems faced by students of SMK Negeri 4 Malang, picture seriesstrategy are used to improve their ability in writing recount texts. This research employed CAR or Classroom Action Research which consistsof 1 cycle consisting 4 meetings. This study follows four steps of CAR that is:planning, implementing, observing, and reflecting. The subjects of this study were 32students of X Multimedia B of SMK Negeri 4 Malang in the second semester ofacademic year 2015/2016. The steps in using picture series were: first, the students were given theexample of picture series. Then, they were given a model how to give the keywordson each pictures. Based on the keywords, they were given model also on how todevelop the keywords into full composition of recount text. Second, based on the fullcomposition of recount text that had been developed through picture series, studentswere introduced to recount text materials by observing the text.  Third, after givingintroduction of picture series and recount text, students were asked to do actualwriting activities using picture series strategy. The findings of this study showed that the implementation of picture serieswas successful in improving students’ ability in writing recount text. It revealed at the end of this study, 87% students of X MM B got 75 as their standard score. Inaddition, the students’ responses toward the implementation of picture series weregood. Based on the findings of this study, the English teachers of X MM B class inSMK Negeri 4 Malang and future researchers are suggested to use picture seriesstrategy to be applied in teaching and learning process, especially in writing activity.Teachers are suggested to implement the use of picture series to teach other texttypes, such as narrative texts. Future researchers are suggested to implement picture series strategy to other participants