An Analysis of Sentence Errors in Negotiation Texts Written by Phase E10 Students at SMAN 5 Padang

Abstract

This study aims to describe sentence errors found in negotiation texts written by tenth-grade students of Phase E10 at SMAN 5 Padang. The study employed a qualitative approach with a descriptive method. The data consisted of language units containing sentence errors in 21 student negotiation texts. Data were collected through observation, assignment, content review, and documentation, and analyzed through identification, classification, description, analysis, and conclusion drawing. The findings revealed six forms of sentence errors: incomplete sentences, ineffective sentences, errors in conjunction use, incorrect sentence arrangement, illogical sentences, and ambiguous sentences. Based on the data grouping, there were 15 incomplete-sentence data, 6 ineffective-sentence data, 4 conjunction-use errors, 4 sentence-arrangement errors, 2 illogical-sentence data, and 4 ambiguous-sentence data. The errors indicate that students still experience difficulties in applying sentence completeness, economy, accuracy, coherence, appropriate conjunction use, logical relations, and clarity of meaning. The findings suggest the need for continuous practice in sentence construction and editing in negotiation-text instruction.