Small-Group Presentation as Medium for Students to Practise Analyzing Literary Works

Abstract

Analyzing literature work using literary theory for students in the Undergraduate Program of Japanese Studies, Universitas Andalas has not become prevalent. Students still focus on the subject related to Japanese language skills, which is an absolute requirement to graduate and hold a bachelor's degree. However, for students who are interested in literature and writing a thesis on literature, in addition to the ability to read Japanese literary works, they are also required to be able to analyze these works. Most of the students majoring in literature have difficulty in writing ideas. Thus, the sociology of literature subject that examines social issues contained in literary works carried out a group presentation method. Lectures divide students into small groups of 3 to 4 students. Then, each group made a brief paper with three parts: the intrinsic elements, social issues in work, and analysis of the work related to the data with the sociology theory. Each group had the opportunity to present three times with the three parts described above. Students and their groups of peers discuss a literary work, analyze it together, and then present the analysis results to the class. The implementation of this group presentation teaching method has known that students have an easier time understanding how to analyze literary works. Students have trained themselves to convey their ideas and thoughts after analyzing literary works through oral and written.