The Use of a Visual Image to Promote Narrative Writing Ability and Creativity

Year 2019, Volume: 19 Issue: 80, 193 - 224, 15.02.2019

Listyani 1

Abstract

Purpose: Second
language writing as an inherent part of ELT is no exception. One specific part
of second language writing in which visual images can be used is narrative
essay writing. Visual images, in this case, comic series and pictures, can be a
very useful aid in stimulating students’ ideas, creativity, as well as interest
and ability in narrative essay writing. Students’ writing activities in using pictures and comic
strips are discussed in this study, including students’ responses towards this
particular topic, as well as the procedures of how these visual images are
used. This study is therefore aimed at disclosing how pictures and comic
strips, as forms of visual images, can be used to enhance students’ narrative
writing ability as well as creativity. In writing narrative essays with the
help of visual images, students were helped in terms of generating ideas,
developing logical and critical thinking, and improving reasoning skills.

Research Methods: The design of this study was
qualitative in nature. The participants were comprised of 19 Professional Narrative Writing students.
The data for this research was taken from documents, that is, students’ essays
and journals which were written after the writing activities were done,
interviews with two students, and students’ scores. There were also pre-tests
and post-tests given at the beginning and the end of the semester, but the
scores were descriptively presented. Interviews with two students were also
conducted to validate the findings. These students, whose essays were used as
analyzed documents, were enrolled in the Professional
Narrative Writing class of the English Language Education Program, the
Faculty of Language and Arts (FLA), Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana (UKSW),
Salatiga, Indonesia. The class was conducted in Semester I of the 2017-2018
academic year. The students were fourth-semester students. The Professional Narrative Writing course
taught students how to be professional in writing narratives.

Findings: The findings showed that pictures, as
well as comic strips, were very useful in helping students to write narratives.
They helped students generate ideas, delve into more creativity, as well as
develop their imagination and motivation in writing, though some students
experienced difficulties in some aspects like ideas, grammar, diction, and
plot.

Implications for
Research and Practice:
The results of the study hopefully can inspire other narrative writing
lecturers all over the globe to maximize the use of visual images, including
pictures and comic strips. These visual aids can enhance students’ writing
abilities as well as their creativity. Students taking writing courses can
hopefully be motivated to write better narratives.

Keywords

narrative writing, visual images, pictures, comic strips, mystery

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