Enhancing Analytic Writing Skills in the Context of English Literature through Guided Writing Strategies: Addressing Challenges Faced by HNDE Students in Crafting Literature Responses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of Guided Writing Techniques (GWT) on enhancing Analytical Writing Skills (AWS) among Higher National Diploma English students, focusing on their ability to respond effectively to English literature questions. From a population of 50 first- year students, 25 participants were selected through purposive sampling. This study employed a mixed- methods approach, combining quantitative pretests and post-tests with qualitative structured interviews to gain insights into students’ challenges and progress in Analytical writing. The study commenced with pretests, which, along with structured interviews, highlighted specific difficulties students faced in crafting responses to English literature questions and in AWS within this context. The intervention activities guided participants through three stages, each designed to build essential skills for producing effective literary responses: Literary Analysis Skill (LAS), Higher-Order Thinking Skill (HOT skill), and AWS, structured around GWT. Short stories, a form within the prose genre, were exclusively selected as the primary material for these activities. Following each stage of the intervention, individual post-tests were conducted to assess the development of core competencies. The findings revealed a significant improvement in students’ AWS, evidenced by a correlation coefficient of 0.8914, underscoring the effectiveness of GWT. These techniques, mediated by LAS and HOT Skills, enabled students to craft focused, well-structured responses that thoroughly engage with literature questions. The study concludes that GWT, when integrated with LAS and HOT skills, is highly effective in enhancing AWS in English literature, highlighting their potential as a valuable instructional approach in similar educational contexts. Keywords : Guided Writing Techniques; Analytical Writing, Literary Analysis Skills; Higher Order Thinking skill