Improving Students‘ Reading Comprehension of Descriptive Texts at Grade VIII 1 of SMPN 9 Pekanbaru by Using KWL Technique

The students in the researcher‘s class had problems in comprehending descriptive texts. They had low reading comprehension of descriptive texts. They were 35 students at Grade VIII.1 of SMPN 9 Pekanbaru. For that reason, this research was carried out to improve their comprehension of descriptive texts by using KWL Technique. Besides, this research also explained the factors that influence their reading comprehension of descriptive texts. This research was carried out in the design of classroom action research, which was a cyclical process that involved planning, action, observation, and reflection. In every cycle, a collaborator helped the researcher to collect two types of data, namely qualitative and quantitative data. The qualitative data were collected by using observation sheets, field notes and interview. Then, the quantitative data were collected by administering reading comprehension test. The quantitative data were analyzed by calculating to find out the mean for describing improvement of each indicator of reading comprehension in each cycle. Then, the data from the result of observation, field notes, and interview (the qualitative data) were related to the result of quantitative data (reading comprehension test) in order to explain the factors that cause the improvement qualitatively. The results of the research for 2 cycles showed that KWL techniques improved all indicators of reading comprehension of descriptive texts. In Cycle 1, two of five indicators were improved, but three others needed to be improved. After re-planning and taking the plan into action in Cycle 2, it was found that the students‘ reading comprehension improved satisfactorily per indicator. Besides, it was also found that the factors influencing the changes of students‘ reading comprehension of descriptive texts in the process of using KWL Technique at were the teaching technique, the teaching materials, the amount of practice using KWL chart. So, the factors should be considered when using KWL Technique for teaching reading.