UNLOCKING CREATIVE WRITING POTENTIAL: HOW MIND MAPPING BOOSTS DESCRIPTIVE TEXT SKILLS IN THAI STUDENTS

Abstract

This study focuses on unlocking creative writing potential: how mind mapping boosts descriptive writing skills in Thai students, driven by the researcher's desire to understand how mind mapping enhances Thai students' descriptive writing. Participants in this study were secondary schools in Satun, Thailand, consisting of 30 participants. This study applied a mixed-methods approach, gathering qualitative data through direct observation and quantitative data through questionnaires focused on students' perspectives regarding their experiences with mind mapping, descriptive text skills, and overall impact. The data were processed using a Likert scale and analyzed through descriptive statistics. The results revealed that the boys' class showed better skills in descriptive text related to categorizing shapes, types, and characteristics in mind mapping, whereas the girls' class displayed a better level of creativity in their mind mapping approach when compared to the boys' class. Based on the data results, from the 2 classes, the majority of respondents expressed agreement regarding the study. Many respondents stated an increase in motivation and a positive influence on their descriptive text skills as a result of implementing mind mapping. The findings indicate that mind mapping significantly influences students' engagement, creativity, and enthusiasm in understanding the content of the text and learning descriptive text that was previously unfamiliar to them.