Grammatical Cohesion Errors in Students’ Descriptive Writing at SMAN 4 Pamekasan
Keywords:
grammatical cohesion, descriptive writing, error analysis
Abstract
Grammatical cohesion is essential for creating coherent and meaningful texts, yet many English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students struggle to use cohesive devices appropriately. This study aimed to identify the types of grammatical cohesion errors and determine the most dominant error in students' descriptive writing. Employing a descriptive qualitative design, data were collected from 20 descriptive essays written by eleventh-grade students at SMA Negeri 4 Pamekasan. The data were analyzed using Halliday and Hasan’s grammatical cohesion framework and Dulay et al.’s Surface Strategy Taxonomy. The findings revealed 37 grammatical cohesion errors, comprising 26 reference errors (70.27%) and 11 conjunction errors (29.73%). Furthermore, misformation was the most dominant error category with 23 occurrences (62.16%), followed by omission (27.03%) and addition (10.81%). The results indicate that students experience greater difficulty in accurately using reference devices, particularly in selecting appropriate pronouns for non-human referents. Consequently, the study concludes that writing instruction must shift from basic sentence-level grammar toward explicit, contrastive scaffolding to help students overcome cross-linguistic interference and improve their overall writing cohesion
References
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Harahap, A. I., Sma Negeri, S. S., & Pura, T. (2023). AN ANALYSIS OF STUDENTS’ ERRORS IN USING PERSONAL PRONOUNS IN WRITING DESCRIPTIVE TEXT IN THE TENTH GRADE OF SMA NEGERI 1 TANJUNG PURA. Journal of Classroom Action Research , 2(1), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.52622/JCAR.V2I1.130
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Jefanya, J., Marbun, M., Herman, H., & Sitanggang, A. (2025). THE DIFFICULTIES OF SEVENTH GRADE STUDENTS IN WRITING DESCRIPTIVE TEXT AT SMP NEGERI 2 PEMATANGSIANTAR. Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Dan Keislaman, 5(3), 521–529. https://doi.org/10.55883/JIPKIS.V5I3.178
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Khalil, A. A., & Abu-Ayyash, E. A. S. (2023). Lexical Cohesive Devices and English Writing Quality. JOURNAL OF ADVANCES IN LINGUISTICS, 14, 7–19. https://doi.org/10.24297/JAL.V14I.9534
Li, S., & Akram, H. (2024). Navigating Pronoun-Antecedent Challenges: A Study of ESL Academic Writing Errors. SAGE Open, 14(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241296607;PAGE:STRING:ARTICLE/CHAPTER
Marzuki, Widiati, U., Rusdin, D., Darwin, & Indrawati, I. (2023). The impact of AI writing tools on the content and organization of students’ writing: EFL teachers’ perspective. Cogent Education, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2023.2236469
Salih, A. A., & Omar, L. I. (2021). Globalized English and users’ intercultural awareness: Implications for internationalization of higher education. Citizenship, Social and Economics Education, 20(3), 181–196. https://doi.org/10.1177/20471734211037660;PAGEGROUP:STRING:PUBLICATION
Sihite, J., Simanjuntak, D. S. R., Gultom, C. R., & Ginting, A. P. (2025). Analysis of Grammatical Cohesion Errors in Explanatory Texts 11th Grade Students of SMA Santo Petrus Medan. Jurnal Pembelajaran Bahasa Dan Sastra, 4(4), 847–860. https://doi.org/10.55909/JPBS.V4I4.846
Sipayung, K. T., Tampubolon, S., Napitupulu, F. D., & Tobing, F. L. (2021). Generic structure of descriptive text written English language learner and teachers. Linguistics and Culture Review, 5(S3), 1636–1650. https://doi.org/10.21744/LINGCURE.V5NS3.1950
Siregar, J., Nurlela, N., & Zein, T. T. (2023). An Analysis of Cohesive Devices in EFL Students’ Essay Writing. Indonesian Journal of EFL and Linguistics, 8(1), 39–53. https://doi.org/10.21462/IJEFL.V8I1.577
Siregar, R. S. (2025). Improving the Arabic Writing Skills of Students through the Application of Contextual Learning Methods at Dayah Irsyadul Abidin Qurani. Indonesian Journal of Education and Social Humanities, 2(1), 358–369. https://doi.org/10.62945/IJESH.V2I1.726
Sterner, B. (2022). Explaining ambiguity in scientific language. Synthese 2022 200:5, 200(5), 354-. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11229-022-03792-X
Suryadi, S., & Erlangga, F. (2025). Enhancing Students’ Writing Skills through Writing Techniques and Mastery of Different Discourse Markers. AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan, 17(2), 2231–2245. https://doi.org/10.35445/ALISHLAH.V17I2.6231
Syafnida, Y., & Ardi, H. (2020). Students’ Ability in Developing Generic Structure, Cohesion and Coherence in Writing Hortatory Exposition Text. 220–223. https://doi.org/10.2991/ASSEHR.K.200819.043
Ulya, H., & Widhiyanto, W. (2026). Genre of Students’ Descriptive Text: A Case of Texts Developed by Tenth Grade Students of SMA Teuku Umar Semarang. Journal of English Language and Education, 11(1), 959–968. https://doi.org/10.31004/JELE.V11I1.2044
Xu, H., Wang, Y., & Ma, J. (2025). A comprehensive review of intercultural communicative competence in EFL education and global business. Cogent Education, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2557608
Zahra, G. M., Emilia, E., & Nurlaelawati, I. (2021). An Analysis of Cohesion and Coherence of Descriptive Texts Written by Junior High School Students. Proceedings of the Thirteenth Conference on Applied Linguistics (CONAPLIN 2020), 546, 195–202. https://doi.org/10.2991/ASSEHR.K.210427.030
Al-khresheh, M. H. (2024). The role of presentation-based activities in enhancing speaking proficiency among Saudi EFL students: A quasi-experimental study. Acta Psychologica, 243, 104159. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ACTPSY.2024.104159
Al-khresheh, M. H., Demirkol Orak, S., & Alruwaili, S. F. (2025). The development of language proficiency through global skills enhancement using web 2.0 tools in university EFL contexts: a mixed methods quasi-experimental study. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications 2025 12:1, 12(1), 931-. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05210-2
Amrullah, Q. L., Ijabah, N., Auliya, P. K., Ardiyansah, T. Y., & Batubara, R. W. (2025). Analyzing Grammatical Cohesion Devices in Pros and Cons Essays Written by Marine Science Students. Journal of English Language and Education, 10(4), 1112–1122. https://doi.org/10.31004/JELE.V10I4.1193
Aritonang, B. A., Anggita, B., & Damanik, R. (2025). SEMANTICS AMBIGUITY AND ITS IMPACT ON LANGUAGE COMPREHENSION. Jurnal Pendidikan Sosial Dan Humaniora, 4(3), 6034–6050. https://publisherqu.com/index.php/pediaqu/article/view/2771
Bui, H. P. (2022). Vietnamese EFL Students’ Use and Misconceptions of Cohesive Devices in Writing. SAGE Open, 12(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440221126993;WEBSITE:WEBSITE:SAGE;ISSUE:ISSUE:DOI
Dulay, H. C., Burt, M. K., & Krashen, S. (1982). Language two. New York Oxford University Press. https://www.scirp.org/reference/referencespapers?referenceid=765513
Fitri, A. A. E., & Yulistianti, H. D. (2025). A Grammatical Cohesive Analysis In “English Students Learning Activities” Textbook for VIII Grade. IDEAS: Journal on English Language Teaching and Learning, Linguistics and Literature, 13(1), 1559–1574. https://doi.org/10.24256/IDEAS.V13I1.6670
González‐pérez, L. I., & Ramírez‐montoya, M. S. (2022). Components of Education 4.0 in 21st Century Skills Frameworks: Systematic Review. Sustainability 2022, Vol. 14, Page 1493, 14(3), 1493. https://doi.org/10.3390/SU14031493
González‐salamanca, J. C., Agudelo, O. L., & Salinas, J. (2020). Key Competences, Education for Sustainable Development and Strategies for the Development of 21st Century Skills. A Systematic Literature Review. Sustainability 2020, Vol. 12, Page 10366, 12(24), 10366. https://doi.org/10.3390/SU122410366
Halliday, M. A. K., & Hasan, K. (2014). Cohesion in English. Cohesion in English, 1–374. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315836010/COHESION-ENGLISH-RUQAIYA-HASAN-HALLIDAY/RIGHTS-AND-PERMISSIONS
Harahap, A. I., Sma Negeri, S. S., & Pura, T. (2023). AN ANALYSIS OF STUDENTS’ ERRORS IN USING PERSONAL PRONOUNS IN WRITING DESCRIPTIVE TEXT IN THE TENTH GRADE OF SMA NEGERI 1 TANJUNG PURA. Journal of Classroom Action Research , 2(1), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.52622/JCAR.V2I1.130
Ilomäki, L., Lakkala, M., Kallunki, V., Mundy, D., Romero, M., Romeu, T., & Anastasia, G. (2023). Critical digital literacies at school level: A systematic review. Review of Education, 11(3), e3425. https://doi.org/10.1002/REV3.3425;REQUESTEDJOURNAL:JOURNAL:20496613;WEBSITE:WEBSITE:BERA-JOURNALS;WGROUP:STRING:PUBLICATION
Indah, C. H. R., & Yahmun. (2022). THE ANALYSIS OF GENERIC STRUCTURE OF DESCRIPTIVE TEXT USED BY STUDENTS OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 1 PENAMBANGAN PROBOLINGGO. Journey: Journal of English Language and Pedagogy, 5(1), 18–23. https://doi.org/10.33503/JOURNEY.V5I1.509
Jefanya, J., Marbun, M., Herman, H., & Sitanggang, A. (2025). THE DIFFICULTIES OF SEVENTH GRADE STUDENTS IN WRITING DESCRIPTIVE TEXT AT SMP NEGERI 2 PEMATANGSIANTAR. Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Dan Keislaman, 5(3), 521–529. https://doi.org/10.55883/JIPKIS.V5I3.178
Karimova, A., Zhumataeva, E., Baigozhina, Z., & Akizhanova, D. (2026). Foreign Language Learning Environment and Communicative Competence Development in Kazakhstan. Education Sciences 2026, Vol. 16, Page 298, 16(2), 298. https://doi.org/10.3390/EDUCSCI16020298
Khalil, A. A., & Abu-Ayyash, E. A. S. (2023). Lexical Cohesive Devices and English Writing Quality. JOURNAL OF ADVANCES IN LINGUISTICS, 14, 7–19. https://doi.org/10.24297/JAL.V14I.9534
Li, S., & Akram, H. (2024). Navigating Pronoun-Antecedent Challenges: A Study of ESL Academic Writing Errors. SAGE Open, 14(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241296607;PAGE:STRING:ARTICLE/CHAPTER
Marzuki, Widiati, U., Rusdin, D., Darwin, & Indrawati, I. (2023). The impact of AI writing tools on the content and organization of students’ writing: EFL teachers’ perspective. Cogent Education, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2023.2236469
Salih, A. A., & Omar, L. I. (2021). Globalized English and users’ intercultural awareness: Implications for internationalization of higher education. Citizenship, Social and Economics Education, 20(3), 181–196. https://doi.org/10.1177/20471734211037660;PAGEGROUP:STRING:PUBLICATION
Sihite, J., Simanjuntak, D. S. R., Gultom, C. R., & Ginting, A. P. (2025). Analysis of Grammatical Cohesion Errors in Explanatory Texts 11th Grade Students of SMA Santo Petrus Medan. Jurnal Pembelajaran Bahasa Dan Sastra, 4(4), 847–860. https://doi.org/10.55909/JPBS.V4I4.846
Sipayung, K. T., Tampubolon, S., Napitupulu, F. D., & Tobing, F. L. (2021). Generic structure of descriptive text written English language learner and teachers. Linguistics and Culture Review, 5(S3), 1636–1650. https://doi.org/10.21744/LINGCURE.V5NS3.1950
Siregar, J., Nurlela, N., & Zein, T. T. (2023). An Analysis of Cohesive Devices in EFL Students’ Essay Writing. Indonesian Journal of EFL and Linguistics, 8(1), 39–53. https://doi.org/10.21462/IJEFL.V8I1.577
Siregar, R. S. (2025). Improving the Arabic Writing Skills of Students through the Application of Contextual Learning Methods at Dayah Irsyadul Abidin Qurani. Indonesian Journal of Education and Social Humanities, 2(1), 358–369. https://doi.org/10.62945/IJESH.V2I1.726
Sterner, B. (2022). Explaining ambiguity in scientific language. Synthese 2022 200:5, 200(5), 354-. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11229-022-03792-X
Suryadi, S., & Erlangga, F. (2025). Enhancing Students’ Writing Skills through Writing Techniques and Mastery of Different Discourse Markers. AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan, 17(2), 2231–2245. https://doi.org/10.35445/ALISHLAH.V17I2.6231
Syafnida, Y., & Ardi, H. (2020). Students’ Ability in Developing Generic Structure, Cohesion and Coherence in Writing Hortatory Exposition Text. 220–223. https://doi.org/10.2991/ASSEHR.K.200819.043
Ulya, H., & Widhiyanto, W. (2026). Genre of Students’ Descriptive Text: A Case of Texts Developed by Tenth Grade Students of SMA Teuku Umar Semarang. Journal of English Language and Education, 11(1), 959–968. https://doi.org/10.31004/JELE.V11I1.2044
Xu, H., Wang, Y., & Ma, J. (2025). A comprehensive review of intercultural communicative competence in EFL education and global business. Cogent Education, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2557608
Zahra, G. M., Emilia, E., & Nurlaelawati, I. (2021). An Analysis of Cohesion and Coherence of Descriptive Texts Written by Junior High School Students. Proceedings of the Thirteenth Conference on Applied Linguistics (CONAPLIN 2020), 546, 195–202. https://doi.org/10.2991/ASSEHR.K.210427.030
Published
2026-06-20
How to Cite
Ali Usi, Ina Daril Hanna, & Arisandy Setiyawan. (2026). Grammatical Cohesion Errors in Students’ Descriptive Writing at SMAN 4 Pamekasan. International Journal of Education, Vocational and Social Science , 5(03), 2113-2128. https://doi.org/10.63922/ijevss.v5i03.4523
Contact Person +6282139474255
Email : ijevss@citakonsultindo.or.id / editor.ijevss@gmail.com
