WELCOME TO KENTERPRO:
EFFECTS OF EXTENSIVE READING IN ENHANCING WRITING SKILLS AMONG SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN PANKSHIN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF PLATEAU STATE

 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Essay writing is a form of written communication that involves the expression of ideas, arguments, and opinions on a specific topic or subject. It is a structured and organized process that requires the writer to engage in critical thinking, research, and analysis to develop a coherent and well-supported argument. According to Olaleye and Adebayo (2020) essays typically consist of an introduction that provides context and presents a thesis statement, body paragraphs that present supporting evidence and arguments, and a conclusion that summarizes the main points and provides a final perspective on the topic. Effective essay writing involves clear and concise language, logical organization, and the use of appropriate evidence and examples to support the writer’s claims. It is a valuable skill that not only allows individuals to convey their thoughts and opinions effectively but also encourages them to engage with and contribute to various academic, professional, and personal pursuits.

In the realm of education, the development of proficiency in writing skill is a crucial issue for students as it enhances their ability to communicate effectively and express their thoughts coherently. Essay writing, in particular holds significant importance in learners it enables students to demonstrate their knowledge, critical thinking abilities, and analytical skills. However, many senior secondary school students often struggle with essay writing as they find it challenging to structure their ideas and convey them in a coherent and organized manner (Adeoye & Adewumi, 2020). This struggle can stem from a variety of factors, such as a lack of knowledge in essay structures, difficulties in gathering and organizing ideas, limited vocabulary, and inadequate practice. As a result, students feel discouraged and loss interest, which can have negative impact on their academic performance and self-confidence.

To address this issue, it is essential for educators to provide comprehensive instruction and support in students’ essay writing incorporating strategies that will help students develop their writing skills. This can involve teaching students about the different types of essays, such as argumentative, persuasive, expository and providing clear guidelines on how to structure and organize their ideas within each type. In addition, educators can introduce techniques like brainstorming, outlining, and drafting to assist students in generating and organizing their thoughts effectively. Incorporating peer review and constructive feedback sessions can also contribute to the improvement of students’ essay writing skills, as it encourages collaboration and helps students to identify areas for improvement. Furthermore, leveraging technology and online resources can offer students interactive platform and writing tools that can facilitate the writing process, provide good grammar and spell-check features, and offer writing prompts for practice.

Improving essay writing among secondary school students requires the application of several vital techniques. First and foremost, students should be taught the importance of planning and organizing their essays through the use of outlines or mind maps, which will help them structure their ideas and maintain a logical flow of arguments (Osakwe & Asagwara, 2018). Moreover, fostering critical thinking skills is crucial, as students need to learn how to analyze and evaluate information, supporting their arguments with evidence and reasoning. It is equally important to emphasize the significance of revision and editing, encouraging students to review their work for clarity, grammar, and punctuation errors, as well as to seek feedback from teachers or peers to enhance the quality of their writing. Finally, promoting creativity and encouraging students to express their unique perspectives will foster originality and engagement in their essays. By incorporating these vital techniques, secondary school students can significantly improve their essay writing skills, enabling them to communicate their ideas effectively and demonstrate their understanding of various subjects.

In recent years, extensive reading has emerged as a highly influential approach for facilitating language acquisition as it enhances writing skills among students. Reading involves immersing oneself in varieties of texts, focusing on personal enjoyment and interest, without the burdens of language-focused tasks or assessments. According to Akinmade and Ajibade (2018, p.12) “by engaging in extensive reading, students are encouraged to explore an extensive range of genres, styles, and subjects, leading to the expansion of their vocabulary, knowledge and comprehension of diverse writing styles.” This practice not only fosters a genuine love for reading but also enable students to develop deep understanding of language structures, improve their fluency and gain insights into cultural nuances. Moreover, through the exposure to various writing forms and literary techniques, extensive reading nurtures students’ creativity and critical thinking abilities empowering them to express their thoughts and ideas more effectively in their own writing. Overall, by embracing extensive reading as an integral part of language education, educators can harness its profound impact on students’ language proficiency, nurturing lifelong learners who possess strong communication skills and a genuine passion for literature.

            A substantial body of research has consistently demonstrated the numerous positive outcomes associated with extensive reading, particularly in relation to the development of writing skills. One significant advantage of extensive reading is its ability to expose students to a vast repertoire of vocabulary. Through the exploration of diverse texts, students encounter a multitude of words in various contexts, thereby expanding their lexicon and equip them with broad range of linguistic resources (Osakwe & Asagwara, 2018). This enhanced vocabulary not only allows students to articulate their thoughts more precisely but also enables learners to convey their ideas with depth and sophistication. Extensive reading exposes students to a wide array of sentence structures, writing styles, and rhetorical devices employed by proficient writers. As students immerse themselves in different literary works, they gain an intuitive understanding of the nuanced aspects of effective writing. They become familiar with the mechanics of constructing well-crafted sentences, employ literary devices for rhetorical impact, and employ various writing techniques to engage and captivate readers. The exposure to diverse writing styles and techniques equips students with the tools to analyze and appreciate the subtleties of skilled authors, enabling them to internalize these elements and incorporate them into their own compositions. Consequently, students develop a heightened awareness of the intricacies of effective writing, allowing them to experiment with different strategies and adapt their writing style to suit different purposes and audiences. Moreover, extensive reading serves as a powerful catalyst for the development of writing skills by exposing students to a wide range of vocabulary, fostering an understanding of effective writing techniques, and empowering students to integrate these elements into their own written work.

In light of the foregoing, the purpose of this study is to investigate the role of extensive reading in the development of writing skills among senior secondary school students in Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau State.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

In recent time, there has been growing concern over the declining in writing skills among senior secondary school students in Pankshin LGA of Plateau State. Many students struggle to express their ideas effectively in written form, leading to poor performance in their essay writing tasks. Poor readers frequently lack adequate vocabulary, as demonstrated by Olaniyi and Adeyemi (2017), and this impairs their ability to comprehend what they read from a text as a result leads to their poor writing skills. This decline in writing proficiency can have detrimental effects on students’ academic success and future prospects.

One potential solution to address the issue is the implementation of extensive reading programs in senior secondary school students. Extensive reading refers to the practice of reading large quantities of texts for pleasure and general understanding. By engaging in extensive reading, students can be exposed to wide range of vocabulary knowledge, grammatical structure, and vivid writing styles which can significantly enhance their academic performance.

However, despite the potential benefits of extensive reading, its impact on senior secondary school students’ achievement in essay writing in Pankshin LGA remains unclear. The lack of research specifically focused on this area and the target population limits the understanding of the effectiveness in extensive reading programme to improve students’ writing abilities. Therefore, this study aims to fill the research gap by investigating the effects of extensive reading on senior secondary school students’ achievement in essay writing in Pankshin LGA of Plateau State. The study will examine whether a structured extensive reading program, implemented over a specific period can lead to improvement in students’ writing skills, including their ability to generate ideas, organize thoughts, employ appropriate vocabulary and grammatical structure to convey their arguments effectively.

By conducting this research, insight shall be gained in the potentials of extensive reading as a tool to enhance students’ essay writing skills in Pankshin LGA. The findings of this study will contribute to the existing body of knowledge on language learning and provide evidence-based recommendations for educational policymakers, school administrators, and teachers to develop effective strategies to improve students’ writing abilities at the senior secondary school level. Ultimately, this research will have practical implications for English curriculum development and instructional practices to foster better writing skills among senior secondary school students in Pankshin LGA of Plateau State.

1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study

The main aim and objectives of this study is to examine the role of extensive reading in enhancing writing skills among senior secondary school students in Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau State. Other specific objectives of the study include:

1. to assess the extent of differences in the organization of essay writing between senior secondary school students who are engaged in extensive reading and those who do not.
2. to examine the impact of extensive reading on vocabulary usage in essay writing tasks among senior secondary school students in Pankshin LGA, Plateau State.
3. to measure the effect of extensive reading on the accuracy of punctuations in essay writing among senior secondary school students in Pankshin LGA, Plateau State, and determine the differences between those who are exposed to extensive reading and those who are not.
4. to discuss the effect of extensive reading on the spelling accuracy in essay writing among senior secondary school students in Pankshin LGA of Plateau State, and determine the differences between those who will be exposed to extensive reading and those who will not.

1.4 Research Questions

            The following research questions will be raised to guide the study:

1. What are the observed differences in the organization of essays between senior secondary school students who are engaged in extensive reading and those who do not?
2. How does extensive reading build vocabulary usage in essay writing tasks among senior secondary school students in Pankshin?
3. To what extent does extensive reading affect the accuracy in punctuation in students’ essay writing in Pankshin LGA, Plateau State?
4. What is the effect of extensive reading on spelling accuracy in essay writing among senior secondary school students in Pankshin LGA, Plateau State, and how does it differ between those who are exposed to extensive reading and those who are not?

1.5 Significance of the Study

The study on the effects of extensive reading on senior secondary school students’ achievement in essay writing in Pankshin local government area of Plateau State, has several benefits.

The primary beneficiaries in this study are the senior secondary school students in Pankshin LGA, Plateau State. Through extensive reading, the students can improve their essay writing skills. By engaging in regular reading, they can enhance their vocabulary, language proficiency, critical thinking abilities, and comprehension skills. This study can provide valuable insights into the benefits of extensive reading, empowering students to enhance their academic performance and future prospects.

The findings in this study can also greatly benefit teachers in senior secondary schools in Pankshin Local Government Area, Plateau State and Nigeria at large as they can gain a deeper understanding of the impact of extensive reading on essay writing abilities. This knowledge can help teachers develop effective teaching strategies and design appropriate reading materials to support their students’ learning.

Also, teachers can integrate extensive reading into their language teaching, fostering a reading culture and promoting language development among students.

The study’s outcomes can inform curriculum developers and educational policymakers in Plateau State and beyond by recognizing the positive effects of extensive reading on essay writing skills. They can consider integrating extensive reading programs into the school curriculum. This integration can enhance the language skills and overall educational experience of senior secondary school students. Curriculum developers can also incorporate recommendations from the study to create guidelines for teachers to implement extensive reading effectively.

The study’s findings can influence schools and education authorities in Pankshin Lga, Plateau State. Schools can allocate resources to establish libraries or reading corners where students can access a variety of reading materials. Education authorities can also implement policies that promote extensive reading practices in schools, providing support and resources for teachers and students to engage in regular reading. These initiatives can contribute to the overall improvement of education in the region.

The study can raise awareness among parents and guardians about the benefits of extensive reading and they can encourage their children and wards to read more by providing access to books, creating a conducive reading environment at home and actively engaging their children in discussions about the books their children read. Parents and guardians can play a vital role in fostering a love for reading and supporting their children’s language development and essay writing skills.

The study can contribute to existing research and academic literature on the relationship between extensive reading and essay writing skills. It can serve as a reference for future studies in related areas, providing a foundation for further investigation into the effectiveness of extensive reading programs in different contexts and on different academic levels. Other researchers can build upon the findings in this research to explore additional factors that may influence the impact of extensive reading on student achievement.

1.6 Scope of the Study

            The scope of the study is on the effects of extensive reading on senior secondary school students’ achievement in essay writing in Pankshin LGA of Plateau State. The study will focus on senior secondary school students within Pankshin, allowing for a targeted examination of a specific group. This geographic delimitation provides a localized context for understanding the impact of extensive reading on essay writing achievement among students. Therefore, the findings should be viewed as a contribution to the existing body of knowledge on the effects of extensive reading in Pankshin LGA of Plateau State, with careful consideration of students’ inability in essay writing.

1.7 Operational Definition of Terms

Achievement in Essay Writing: Achievement in essay writing refers to the level of proficiency or success that senior secondary school students demonstrate in composing and writing essays. It encompasses their ability to structure coherent and logical arguments, use appropriate grammar and vocabulary, employ critical thinking skills, and convey their ideas effectively.

Essay writing: In the context of this study, essay writing refers to the task of writing essays on topics that are relatively simple or familiar to senior secondary school students. These topics are usually chosen to match the students’ language proficiency level and aim to facilitate their engagement and comprehension during the writing process.

Extensive Reading: In the context of this topic, extensive reading refers to a reading approach in which senior secondary school students engage in a wide range of reading materials, including books, newspapers, magazines, and online articles. It involves reading for pleasure and general understanding, rather than focusing on specific language structures or vocabulary.

Senior Secondary School Students: In this study, senior secondary school students refer to students who are enrolled in the last three years of secondary education in Pankshin Local Government Area (LGA), Plateau State. These students are typically between the ages of 15 and 18 and are studying various subjects as part of their curriculum.