IMPLEMENTING SEND A PROBLEM TECHNIQUE TO INCREASE STUDENTS’ WRITING ABILITY AT THE 9TH GRADE OF SMPN 2 TOWUTI

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of the Send a Problem technique in improving the writing skills of 9th-grade students at SMPN 2 Towuti. This research implemented mixed method with quantitative and
qualitative design. The sample for this research is 20 students from the 9A in the ninth grade of SMPN 2 Towuti. The researcher chose the 9A because the teacher recommended the class at the school. The Send a Problem technique was implemented through a series of additional learning activities designed to
stimulate students' creativity in writing. At the same time, the research instrument used was a writing test. The data were analysed using a Paired Sample T-test and calculated with SPSS 22. The data were analysed by calculating the mean score
and paired sample t-test. This research showed that the mean score on Post-Test (67.30) was higher than the Pre-Test (39.85). The value of tc (tcount) was 16.538, higher than tt(ttable) was 1.729 with standard of significance level 0,05 (5%). Also,
Sig. (2-tailed) was 0.000 smaller than the P value standard 0.05 (0.000<0.05). On the other hand, the alternative hypothesis (H1) was accepted, and the null hypothesis (HO) was rejected. The students’ perception toward the implementing of Send a Problem technique for learning writing is increase the writing interest
and motivation, as well as provide real challenges to solve the problem and students feel more involved in the writing process. It concluded that the use of Send a Problem Technique in teaching descriptive text can help students in SMPN 2 Towuti to develop their writing skills primarily in the five components of
content, organization, vocabulary, grammar, and mechanics.