CHAPTER 1

1.1 Introduction
Writing is an essential communication skill as are reading, listening and speaking but writing is
one that has permanence and thus it continues to relay the meaning encoded into it long after the
author has moved on. The term writing however is a generic one. In Malaysian schools,
writing is used to refer to everything from penmanship to academic and creative writing.
When the pupils learn to write, he or she usually begins with correct letter formation and then
moving on to write uniform sized letters. After that, he or she can learn to produce uniform slant
in his or her writing.
Improper teaching methods will hinder the ability of pupils to write and make room for the
children to practice bad habits when writing. The way pupils writing nowadays are very
worrying because even after one or two years in preschool, they still unable to write correctly
even the National Education Philosophy emphasizes the 3M pre-school education level again.
Still, there are some pupils who cannot write beautifully and neatly even in level two.
Particularly, there are two pupils in low ability classes.
This research sought to investigate the effectiveness of written exercises such as writing in a
correct formation, then size, then slant and how to hold a pencil correctly. Some of the pupils
who had this problem are the pupils from the Remedial Class PROTIM pupils. Due to the
limitation in concentration of time in teaching writing skills, most of the pupils failed the writing
activity but passed the reading activities. Thus, in this Chapter 1 will discuss the background of
the research background, the problem statement, research objectives, research questions,
limitation of research, definition of terms, significance of research and the summary.

1.2 Research Background

The problem of pupils who have bad handwriting and cannot write neatly has become an issue
that often dealt in schools. Why does this happen? Is the emphasis on writing activities did not
occur during the teaching and learning in the classroom? There are various methods have been
made to overcome this problem. Beginning in 2009, the Minister of Education Malaysia has
launched a new program called LINUS (Literacy Numeracy) to replace the Program Kelas
Intervensi Awal (KIA2M). It is to emphasize reading skills among the pupils that writing skills
are also important and a priority.
Hammil and Mc Nut (1981) reported that writing skills closely related to reading. These skills
include mechanical skill in writing, spelling, punctuation, letters, learning skills and form
meaning. The main objective of mechanical writing skills or the handwriting is easy to read.
Teachers teaching should focus on how holding the pencil properly, lower and upper case,
spacing between letters and words and the letters all slant in the same direction. Pupils who have
learning disabilities mostly have trouble in writing. Mercer (1985) which agree with Hidreth
(1947) states that the main reason of this problem is the problem of psychomotor, emotional
problems, fail to observe letters and words and poor in memorizing.
According to Sassoon (1989) the purpose and the primacy of teaching writing is the writing must
necessarily easy to read with a perfectly formed letters,accepted ligature and the writing is
balance with an appropriate space between words also have the decency to write neatly and
beautifully. This situation is the reason the reviewer performs the research on 'The Effectiveness
of Written Exercises For Year One Pupils in Sekolah Kebangsaan Perdana'. It is a step to
overcome the problem on bad handwriting for the Year One pupils in SK. Perdana.
Beautiful handwriting and easy to read is a very valuable asset in one's life. Pupils found to be
able to write but did not write in a correct way. In pursuit of literacy, teachers are sometimes not
paying enough attention in teaching how to form letters with the correct movement. Teachers
should give priorities on the teaching of writing, especially how to hold the pencil properly, to
write the letter with the correct movement and slant, determine the size of the letter and
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determine the space between letters and words. Pupils should be exposed to the correct method
of writing at an early stage so that they are interested to generate ideas through the writing.

1.3 Problem Statement

The ability to write beautifully and neatly are the problem have to be faced by some of Level
Two pupils in SK Perdana. This problem arises due to the difficulty of the pupils to write
properly due to the lack of writing practice. It is teachers duty to emphasize the correct method
of writing to the pupils as well as the use of a variety of appropriate teaching aids to attract
pupils attention and remain focused on teachers teaching.
There are some pupils have problem in writing skill because of the lack of skills as how to hold a
pencil in an appropriate way. This weakness happens because pupils are not trained how to hold
pencil properly at an early stage. The use of the book with two sets of lines: a set of parallel
dotted lines between the parallel solid lines also less being taught during school. It leads to the
pupils to write the letter inappropriate.
Therefore, through this research, researcher tries to train the pupils to hold a pencil properly
when writing and to introduce and write letters in a correct formation, emphasized uniform sizelower case letters consistently half the size of upper case letters. To see the effectiveness of this
method, researchers also are concerned with the use of appropriate teaching aids to build up the
enjoyment of teachers teaching.

1.4 Research Objectives

The following were the research objectives intended to be met in carrying out this research:
(i) to determine the level of writing skills of pupils after they have follow the how to write neatly
and beautifully method.
(ii) to determine the effectiveness of training to write the letters on forming letters, emphasize
uniform size- lower case letters and upper case letters.
(iii) to introduce and train the pupils on how to hold the pencil correctly when writing.

1.5 Research Questions

The following were the research questions formulated to meet the objectives of this research:
(i) Is the level of pupils writing skills being improve after following this method of writing?
(ii) Is the practice in writing the letters on correct formation, emphasize uniform size- lower case
letters and upper case letters and also how to hold the pencil correctly can help improve the
pupils writing neatly and beautifully?
(iii) What is the connection of holding a pencil properly influence the neatness of the pupils
writing?

1.6 Limitations of Research

The following were a few of the research limitations. These limitations influenced the carrying
out of the actual research itself in some ways, hindering the research in the process a little and
also affected the reliability and validity of the research negatively.
(i) The chosen sampling for this research was sampling from Year One pupils in SK Perdana
only. It was feared that it might not represent the entire actual population of research.
(ii) The research findings could never be generalized to represent other schools nationwide
because the research was carried out in one particular school only.
(iii) The research was only limited to the selected Year One pupils of one school and making the
scope of the research narrow.

1.7 Definition of Term

The terminology to be used in this research is defined below:
Effectiveness
Effectiveness refers to check or test the effectiveness of the security arrangements (Oxford
Advanced Learners Dictionary, 1998).

Written
There are three basics definitions of writing according to Nunan, (2003):
(i) writing as both a physical and a mental act. At the elementary level, writing is the physical act
of delivering words or ideas in some mode of expression, whether it is printed on paper or an
e- mail message typed into a computer. Nevertheless, writing is the minds work of
discovering ideas, thinking about how to communicate them and to develop them into
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statements and paragraphs that will be comprehensible to a reader.

(ii) a dual purpose, which is to express and impress. Generally, writers serve the purpose of
communicating an idea or feeling to the audience, who need precise and comprehensible
facts. In short, writers must select the most advantageous medium for their writing.
(iii) writing as both a process and a product. The writes creates, plans, writes various drafts,
revises, edits and publishes. This process of writing is usually recursive and at times
unsystematic. Finally, what the audience reads is a product.
Exercises
The act of exercising; a setting in action or practicing; employment in the proper mode of
activity; exertion; application; use; habitual activity; occupation, in general; practice.
(http://www.brainyquote.com/words/ex/exercise162589.html#ixzz1fxzsNNrc)
Pupils
A boy or a girl under the age of puberty, that is under fourteen if a male, and under twelve if a
female.
(http://www.brainyquote.com/words/pu/pupil208494.html#ixzz1fy1H5A1m)

1.8

Significance Of The Research

The research findings will help to determine a more effective to write neatly and beautifully for
the pupils. It also to improve and to make changes in their attitudes and to raise their motivation
in improving their handwriting. Thus, the findings of this study will also be useful to Malaysian
educators in enhancing the skills and strategies to help the pupils in teaching penmanship.

1.9 Summary
Overall, this research aims to see how far the level of writing skills of SK Perdana pupils. With
the help and the use of the proposed method we will see an improvement in pupils handwriting
skills. If this early prediction can be proved, this will be a key instrument in addressing the
writing skills among pupils.

CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
In this chapter contains an account of researches that relate to the theory of research, models and
previous studies which have been conducted either inside or outside the country. Mastery in the
theory and models are important to the researcher in the research conducted based on the
researches inside or outside the country.
2.2 Related Literature
2.2.1 Learning Theory (Behaviorism)
In this research, the related literature is based on learning theories and teaching strategies used to
enhance the mastery of students. The theory have been used is the Behaviorism Theory
popularized by Ivan Pavlov. This theory will help researchers to discuss more clearly the
relationship between the use of appropriate teaching aid with the skills want to be served to the
pupils. Teaching aids is very important to build up pupils interest.
Drilling also contributed to the success of a teaching on the pupils who have problems. This
theory has being studied by Ivan Pavlov (1848 - 1936) and John Watson (1878 - 1958). It further
refined and expanded by B. F. Skinner (1904 - 1989) and continued to practice until now.
According to the behaviorist view, human beings are fully formed by the environment and
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manipulating the environment, the thoughts, feelings and behavior will change. Positive
reinforcement will cause the individual to repeat what they did before.
In the research, positive reinforcement in the form of drilling are used repeatedly for the Year
One pupils to improve their handwriting. In addition, pupils will be exposed and introduced how
to hold a pencil properly so they are able to write letters forms beautiful and neat. Thus, the
repeatedly writing skills, plus the correct way to hold a pencil will enable the pupils to write
beautiful and neat.
2.2.2 Methods, Approaches, and Techniques
There are several methods, approaches and techniques that can be used to ensure the success of
this research:
2.2.2.1 Deductive Approach
Jamilah Ahmad (1999) states that in this approach, "a study initiated by learning certain rules
and then analyze the law or regulations by further examples of applying the rules given". In this
approach, pupils will be trained over and over to improve their skill in writing activities. These
exercises can improve their memory. Pupils will be trained to write the letters on correct
formation, emphasize uniform size- lower case letters and upper case letters and also how to hold
the pencil correctly.

2.2.2.2 The Approach Play While Learning

Low average pupils enjoy playing more than studying. "Play" is a feature that enhances pupils
ability of empathy, increasing their sensitivity to the process of interaction and encourage them
to analyze the interaction objectively. In writing activities while playing will increase the desire
of the pupils to continue learning.

2.2.2.3 Drilling Technique

This technique is used in teaching orally as a communicative drills. This approach combined
with the writing activity which is by read the words repeatedly and transfer it to writing. This
will help improve pupils retention of learned letters.

2.2.2.4 Tracing
Tracing is a technique to copy the forms of letters in sequence. In this activity, the use of
appropriate and interesting teaching aids are needed to prevent pupils boredom. Fun during the
learning process is important because the more interesting pupils in the lesson is the more
quickly they will understand the lesson.

2.3 Related Research

There are several researches on the error, such as the wrong way the pupils hold a pencil which
is a contributor to pupils bad handwriting. In addition, there are also researches about the
effectiveness of teaching aid materials to be used in writing skills. Therefore, to ensure better
quality of this discussion, the related research will discuss on previous researches that been made
in the country and overseas.

2.3.1 Related Research in Malaysia

According Norhadi Sarponen (2009), "the use of a pencil that is not suitable, such as short pencil
is one of the reasons pupils make many mistakes when write. The using of short pencil force the
pupils to bend down.. This situation makes them feel uncomfortable and this may affect their
writing".

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According to research actions carried out by Noraini Binti Ombi (2009), in Research On Pupils
Writing for Year 2 Recovery Class in Bahasa Melayu, she found that the pupils are not
problematic in the reading, but in writing. Pupils can be categorized as potential pupils because
all of them could read well. She said, the main reason pupils are sent to rehabilitation classes,
because they do not write neatly or is said to have written "chicken scratch". The unreadable
writing makes a difficult for a regular classroom teacher to review pupils work and she found
that from the initial survey, the way pupils hold their pencil in the wrong way was the cause of
that happen. So, opinion said that the way pupils hold a pencil in a wrong way is one contributor
to the pupils bad handwriting acceptable.
Yet, the use of teaching aids is part of the method and content to be delivered by teachers. This
will create a good and interesting communication between teachers and pupils with a variety of
methods and attracting pupils interest. According to Musa (2001), "teaching aid materials are
important factors in determining the success of the learning program, it can stimulate pupils
desire to learn something and make learning more interesting". Therefore, the researchers felt
that this view is very suitable applied by teachers in teaching. It is because the use of teaching
aids will be able to connect and unite pupils, teachers and the teaching content. It also can
accelerate the process of understanding a pupils learning.
Khalijah Sirat (1999), suggested that teachers can provide comprehensive tools and equipment to
facilitate teaching and learning process goes as planned. This early preparation will ensure that
the equipment is in good condition and can be used. Researchers agree with this view because
the complete and ready equipment will help teachers delivering effective teaching and learning
process.

2.3.2 Related Research from Ovesea

According to Levin (1987), "the way pupils hold their pencil will influence the writing produced
by pupils. Weaknesses in fine motor lead to children having difficulty holding a pencil, assemble
and install the buttons on the beads. Children who have fine motor dyspraxia showed weaknesses
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in motor coordination. "Fine motor dyspraxia problems causing uncertainty in the stationary grip
(Levine, 1987). These children are not able to control nerves when holding and moving the
pencil steady. Children who do not use fine motor when writing lead pencil grip is not strong.
They actually use the arm and wrist, not fingers to write. A strong grip on stationery and fingers
that are too close to the eye pencil cause pain to the child. According to Levine (1987), these are
all factors that contribute to the formation of the less beautiful letter. Researchers could not agree
with this view because of the way pupils hold a pencil when writing certainly have a big impact
on pupils writing. Hold a pencil in the wrong way is the cause of pupils could not write beautiful
and not neat and teachers find it difficult to read.
According to Smith & Ragen in Khalijah Sira (1999), "the form of teaching is a process that
translates systematically and explain the principles of the teaching and learning materials and
teaching activities". Based on this fact, clearly revealing systematically teaching is the use of
teaching aids along with activities that has been designed. For that, the researcher agree with this
fact because teaching and learning process will be more impressive if teachers perform their
lesson with the appropriate form and attractive. Indeed, the use of teaching aids in teaching and
learning process is the interface that is essential to produce teaching and learning more
systematically and interesting. That way, a teacher will be able to bring the quality pupils and
accept the lesson easily.

2.4 Summary
In this chapter, the researchers were able to produce a directory of good quality research based
on previous researches, discussion of whether previous researches in the country or study abroad
last year, and several methods of teaching theories, approaches and techniques are appropriate. In
addition, these researches also help the researcher from making mistakes while producing
research to the detriment of the quality of this research

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CHAPTER 3

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction
In this chapter, the researcher made a systematic planning in methodology so the research will be
conducted to ensure the review process continues. Various efforts were made to obtain the
findings of this research is based on the form and method specified in this chapter. Besides, the
planning process of this research is based on the questions and objectives of the study
determined early so it does not contradict the original purpose of this research.
This chapter is divided into five parts. Research Design, Population and Sampling, Research
Instruments, Data Collection Procedures and Data Analysis Procedure. Research design
combining quantitative and qualitative research in which quantitative data obtained from test
scores pre and post-test, while qualitative data obtained through questionnaires and observation.
Research sampling consisted of Year One pupils in SK Perdana, Tawau. This research uses
research instruments such as student information form, pre-test and post-test, and survey forms.
Data collection procedure carried out by researcher and assisted by the class teacher on the main
techniques to obtain data as to the test on the respondent and completed questionnaires. Methods
for data analysis procedure uses quantitative data analysis and qualitative data.

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3.2 Research Design

In this section, the researcher will explain how the research is conducted and measures taken by
the researcher to complete this research begins by getting the respondents to the analysis of the
data. Here, researcher using pre and post-tests, surveys and observations made on the pupils.
Researcher will look at the effectiveness of writing skills among the pupils based on proper
writing techniques such as how to hold a pencil and the pupils when writing and by applying the
method to write the letters on correct formation, emphasize uniform size- lower case letters and
upper case letters.
The study will evaluate the mechanical writing skills among pupils. The reseach began by
assessing how the pupils write individually through observation. All aspects of writing are
evaluated starting from how they hold the pencil up to the process of forming letters, words and
sentences. The research will focus on mistakes made by the child when writing. Researcher will
make an observation of individual pupils. Pupils have to write the letters that have been selected
as well as asked to write simple sentences in a paragraph. All errors will be recorded in the form
provided. After making observations and analysis of the students involved, the researcher will be
able to detect and take action and then develop a method that will be used to improve the
weaknesses of the pupils.
Yet, researcher also met with the literacy teacher in Year One to obtain more information on the
respondents. The survey has received good response from the teacher Madam Saadiah Bakar.
Some information has been successfully obtained by the researcher. According to her, the main
reason of pupils writing is not neat and pretty is because they are not exposed to write in the four
lines book as well as how to write letters correctly. The pupils were focused with reading skills
so that writing skills ignored. Thus, although some of these pupils passed the reading test, they
have trouble writing neatly and beautifully.

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3.3 Population and Sampling

This study population consisted of Year One pupils in SK. Perdana, Tawau Sabah. This
population is selected to attend the class of 'Enhancing Student Writing Beautiful Year One in
SK Perdana to see the effectiveness of the techniques to write properly and use of the letters
written on correct formation, emphasize uniform size- lower case letters and upper case letters.
Total population is about 17 pupils. This population consisted of Year One pupils only because at
this stage most of the pupils do not master the skill to write correctly even if they have attended
pre-school classes for a year.
The first thing made by the researcher in the selection of the sample is to get the number of the
pupils and then make the observation and writing proficiency exam to those pupils. The
researcher also has interviewed Bahasa Melayu teachers to understand that pupils had not yet
mastered the skill to write well. Therefore, the sample selection was made based on the results of
adaptive observation and tests that have been implemented and interviewed that has been done.

3.4 Research Instruments

In this research, the research instrument used was the test performance of the pre-test and posttest as well as the systematic observation method. For the purpose of quantitative methods,
researcher will conduct pre-test and post- test will be answered by the pupils. Besides that, for
qualitative methods, researcher will do a checklist of teaching and learning process carried out to
see thee pupils respond to the techniques, methods used and the use of teaching aids.
Observations made by researcher to examine the behavior of the participants before, during, and
after receiving the class of 'Enhancing Student Writing Beautiful Year One in SK. Perdana,
Tawau.

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3.5 Data Collection Procedure

Data collection was conducted by researcher in a class of Year One. There are several data
collection techniques used to give a comprehensive picture of the processes that occur in this
research. In the observation techniques, researchers will make observations in the classroom to
study and understand the processes that occur in the classroom as the pupils watched and how
they write. Other than that, researcher will also use pupils work (writing) for additional data
collection to compare and to strength the data obtained through observations have been made.
In addition, all respondents will take pre-test followed by post-test. The main data will be
obtained by making a comparison between the two achievement test. This research starts by the
making of the reflection and determine the focus of the study, plan and implement an action plan,
observe and to reflect back on the entire process to ensure that teaching and learning objectives
are achieved.
A checklist is also made to determine the effectiveness of using teaching aids. A checklist has
been made to get a response of the using of teaching aids in teaching writing on correct
formation, emphasize uniform size- lower case letters and upper case letters. It is because the
researcher wanted to determine whether the implementation of these methods could have a
positive impact on pupils. Therefore, in this research, the researcher used data collection methods
through pre and post-tests, observation, and the checklist method.

3.6 Data Analysis Procedure

This research uses quantitative data analysis methods in inferential statistics on pre-test and posttest. While the qualitative data analysis methods made through questionnaires and observation.
Data analysis was carried out according to the patterns set.
Quantitative data collected were analyzed for significant differences in measuring the level of
pupils mastery of writing skills by writing neat and beautiful based on the pre-test and post-test
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performed. Qualitative data were analyzed according to the pattern set and formulated according
to the categories of positive and negative. Meanwhile, the outcome of the observation is written
as a narrative.
Overall, this research is to see the effectiveness of proper writing techniques and methods to
write letters on correct formation, emphasize uniform size- lower case letters and upper case
letters depending on the use of teaching aids to enhance teaching and learning process.

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