Investigating the element distribution of argumentative essay and its quality: The case of Indonesian EFL students’ writing

Nirwanto, Rahmadi and Mukminatien, Nur and Suryati, Nunung and Wulyani, Anik Nunuk (2024) Investigating the element distribution of argumentative essay and its quality: The case of Indonesian EFL students’ writing. Journal on English as a Foreign Language, 14 (1). pp. 316-345. ISSN 2088-1657;

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Abstract

Although many research studies discussed argumentative essays, little is known
about argumentative essays discussing the dialogical exchange of
argumentation. This study aims to investigate the distribution of elements and
the quality of argumentative essays produced by EFL students. The content
analysis was employed to examine their argumentative essays. The data were
garnered from essay writing tests for forty students of the English Department at
a state university in Palangka Raya, Indonesia. They were assigned to write an
argumentative essay about "Online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The data analysis comprised collecting, categorizing, and displaying the data and
conclusion drawing. The results indicated that (1) a greater number of the
students were not able to supply all elements of an argumentative essay, such as
an explanation of an issue, thesis statement, counterargument, refutation, and
conclusion, and (2) most of them failed to obtain excellence qualification. The
study findings imply how teachers can redesign the materials, find effective
strategies for teaching an argumentative essay, and provide many practice
opportunities. The teachers should focus on teaching an argumentative essay
element by allowing the students to understand the goal of each element and
integrate them to form a well-developed argumentative essay.

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