THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SNOWBALL-THROWING METHOD IN IMPROVING STUDENTS' WRITING SKILL

Abstract

The process of language learning, particularly writing skills, plays a crucial role in students' academic development. However, many students at Pondok Pesantren Mawaridussalam face challenges in developing their writing skills. The primary issues are low motivation and a lack of engagement in the writing process. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Snowball-Throwing method in enhancing the writing skills of eighth-grade students. The main objective of this research is to measure the extent to which the Snowball-Throwing method can improve students' writing abilities. The study employs a quantitative experimental design involving two groups: an experimental group taught using the Snowball-Throwing method and a control group taught using traditional methods. Data were collected through pre-tests and post-tests to assess students' writing skills, and the analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and t-tests. The results indicate that the experimental group experienced a significant improvement in writing skills, achieving a post-test average score of 70.37, compared to 56.30 for the control group. The t-test results showed a significance value below 0.05, indicating a statistically significant difference between the two groups. In conclusion, the Snowball-Throwing method proves effective in enhancing students' writing abilities while fostering active engagement and collaboration. This study recommends the implementation of this method in teaching practices to improve student learning outcomes.