The Effectiveness of CIRC Method and Comic-strip Media to English Writing Ability

Abstract

-All university students are expected to be able to write in English. One way to achieve this purpose is through comicstrip media. The aims of this study to determine the effectiveness of the comic-strip media in improving English writing ability of mechanical engineering students. This research focuses on writing procedure text. This research applied quasi-experimental "pre-test post-test design". It was conducted at the Muhammadiyah University of Metro in academic Year 2015/2016. The population involved in this study is mechanical engineering students that consisted of 60 students and were divided into 30 students in experimental class and 30 students in control class. The variables of this study were: (1) CIRC method with comic-strip media as independent variables, and (2) ability to write as the dependent variable. The instrument used in this study was a writing test. To analyze the data, researcher used ttest formula. The results showed the value of ttestTTable 3.57 and 2.00 (criterion 1) and 2.66 (criterion 2). From these results, it can be concluded that the CIRC method through comic strips can improve writing ability of mechanical engineering students.

Comic Strips for Language Teaching: The Benefits and Challenges According to Recent Research

“…Yunus et al (2011) add that comic strips could motivate students with low writing skills. Furthermore, comic strips are easy to apply, and it was helpful to help the students to develop and organize ideas in writing (Thresia, 2016). The use of comic strips also contributed to mechanics, especially spelling and punctuation (Megawati & Anugerahwati, 2012).…”

“…It also helps the students remember the grammar structure commonly used in the dialogue of the comic strips. Moreover, Cimermanová (2015) and Thresia (2016) have proven that the use of comic strips improved students' English writing ability and quality, especially the students' grammar, punctuation, and spelling as in writing story. Humola & Talib (2016) prove that comic strips could enhance students' writing skills by improving the students' knowledge and ability to use simple past, conjunction, and possessive pronouns.…”

“…According to Megawati & Anugerahwati (2012), Sharma (2020), andThresia (2016), the use of comic strips can motivate the students in practicing their writing skills because the combination of pictures and short texts keep the students interested. They also argue that making comic strips could improve the students' intellectual skills and give them the opportunity to show their creativity.…”