Students’ Difficulties in Comprehending the Analytical Exposition Texts at XI A grade of Science Program in SMAN 3 Sungai Penuh

Most of the students at XI A grade of Science Program in SMAN 3 Sungai Penuh has difficulties in comprehending analytical exposition texts. It is necessary to find out the cause of the students’ difficulties in comprehending analytical exposition texts. The aims of this research were to describe the students’ difficulties in comprehending analytical exposition text at XI A grade of Science Program in SMAN 3 Sungai Penuh. and the causes of students’ difficulties in comprehending the analytical exposition text at XI A grade of Science Program in SMAN 3 Sungai Penuh. The method of this research was descriptive. The subjects of this research were 27 students at XI A grade of Science Program in SMAN 3 Sungai Penuh. The data were collected by using reading comprehension test and doing interview to six students. The data had been tested to see the validity and reliability of item numbers namely try out test. The data were analyzed by using quantitative and qualitative data. The result of this research showed that the students at XI A grade of Science Program in SMAN 3 Sungai Penuh still have difficulties in comprehending the analytical exposition texts based on eight indicators. It indicated the percencage of each indicator in comprehending the analytical exposition texts. The researcher found that most of the students can identify the topic, the communicative purpose, generic structure, and the language features of the analytical exposition text; some of students can identify the main idea and the meaning of vocabulary in the context; and a few students can identify the reference and inference. It showed that the students have difficulties in some aspects of reading comprehension in analytical exposition texts. It is implied that all of indicators especially for reading comprehension should be presented in various techniques and reviewed often in order that the students are able to identify them.