Abstract:
The main purpose of this study was to analyze the common types of sentence errors committed by
students while writing sentences. The study was carried out in Bako High School with special
reference to grade 9 students. In this study descriptive design involving both qualitative and
quantitative techniques was employed to address the problem. To conduct the study, three
English teachers and 48 grade 9 students were selected through purposive and simple random
sampling techniques respectively. In order to achieve the objectives, the study employed three
data gathering tools: student’s written test, student’s questionnaire and teacher’s interview.
Quantitative data were collected through questionnaires and test. Qualitative data were
collected through test and interviews. The data that collected through questionnaire were
analyzed quantitatively by using frequency, and percentage. The test was analyzed quantitatively
by using frequency, and percentage and also qualitatively by using Oshima and Houge
approach. The data that was collected through interview was analyzed qualitatively using
narrative form. The study identified the major sentence writing problems students’ encounter.
These are problem of, comma splice, sentence fragment, choppy sentence, misplaced modifier,
dangling modifier, unparallel structure, choppy sentence and shift in point of view. It was also
discovered that teachers did not use variety of approaches to motivate their students in writing
activities. Thus, as writing is a skill that could be improved through adequate practicing. Bako
High school students should have been given chance of learning and practicing features of good
sentence to effectively use them to write a paragraph. English Language teachers ought to adapt
the writing activities to make interesting, motivating and achievable to the students in time given
for the activity.
