Ability to Write Folk Poetry Texts Using a Contextual Approach: Case Study of Middle School Students in Ruteng, Indonesia

This research was motivated by the low ability to write folk poetry texts (pantun) of class VIIC students at SMP Negeri 10 Ruteng. The aim of this research is to describe the use of a contextual approach in improving the ability to write folk poetry texts (pantun) in class VIIC students at SMP Negeri 10 Ruteng. The method used in this research is a contextual approach. This type of research is classroom action research (PTK) which consists of three stages; pre-action, cycle I, cycle II. Research procedures include planning, implementation, observation and reflection. The subjects of this research were 25 students in class VIIC of SMP Negeri 10 Ruteng. The data collection techniques used are observation, interviews, tests and documentation techniques. The data analysis technique uses analysis of test and non-test results. The results of this research show that students' ability to write folk poetry texts (pantun) has increased significantly. This is proven by the results of researchers' observations during the learning process and test results in two cycles. In the initial test results, the students' average score only reached 59.84. The students' average score increased in the first cycle test to 72.58. In cycle II the test results again increased to 80.61. Thus, the contextual approach can be used as an alternative for learning to write folk poetry texts (pantun) at school.