The Effect of Semantic Mapping in Teaching Writing Skill on Seventh Grade Students of SMPN 3 Batusangkar

This research was aimed to see the effectiveness of semantic mapping technique in improving students` writing skill. The research design of this research was a quasi experimental design. The population was the seventh grade students of SMP Negeri 3 Batusangkar in the academic year of 2017/2018. The samples consisted of 51 students, which divided into two groups; they were experimental group and control group. In order to collect data about students‟ writing skill improvement and responses toward the implementation of semantic mapping technique, the writer used writing test. During the treatment, students in experimental group used semantic mapping technique, while students in control group used free writing technique. The analysis of the test result showed that the student of experimental group was higher than control group. In the post test, the mean score of the experimental group was 72,89 while the control group got 67,21. Based on statistical analysis by using t-test formula, indicated that the t-test was 1,94 and t-table was 1,67. It means that t-value was higher than t-table (1,94 >1,67). As a result, there is a significant difference in writing achievement between the students who are taught by using semantic mapping technique and those who are taught by using free writing technique. Based on the result of this study, the writer concluded that semantic mapping technique is effective to be implemented in teaching writing.