Abstract

Second language writing has been a challenging skill to L2 writers for decades. Previous studies have confirmed the value of using text structure to promote reading comprehension; there were limited studies on using text structures to develop writing skills. The aim of this study therefore is to investigate the influence of cause/effect text structure graphic organizer and supporting sentences on SS II students’ paragraph writing skill. The design of this study was quasi-experimental. 122 SS II intact-class students from government senior secondary schools in Kumbotso local government participated in the study. 62 of these students were in the experimental group intact class while 60 in the control group intact class. Three stages of the lesson include modeling stage, semi-modeling stage, and free writing stage. Instructions for the experimental and the control groups spanned a period of 8 weeks. Data were analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMC) and regression analysis. The results show that both the graphic organizer and the supporting sentences significantly predicted the organization and logical flow of ideas/sentences using signal words. It is then recommended that further studies should be carried out to determine the predictive ability of using supporting sentences on organization and logical flow of ideas/sentences using signal words.

Keywords

Writing, Graphics Organizer, Supporting Sentences, Text Structure and Signal Words