USING PATHFINDER MAPS IN IMPROVING COHESION AND COHERENCE GRADE 6 LEARNERS' WRITING TASK

This study aimed to improve the cohesion and coherence in the writing tasks of Grade 6 learners through the use of Pathfinder Maps as an instructional intervention. Specifically, it sought to determine how this strategy could enhance learners’ ability to logically organize ideas and connect sentences and paragraphs meaningfully. Using a mixed methods design with a parallel convergent approach, 30 Grade 6 learners were purposively sampled for the quantitative phase, while 6 learners participated in in-depth interviews for the qualitative phase. Descriptive statistics revealed an increase in writing performance, with a pre-test mean score of 82.27 (SD = 9.41) and a post-test mean score of 92.03 (SD = 5.89), indicating notable improvement. A paired samples t-test confirmed that the difference was statistically significant, t(29) = 4.62, p < .001, with a strong effect size (Cohen’s d = 0.84), suggesting that Pathfinder Maps effectively enhanced learners’ cohesion and coherence in writing. Qualitative findings supported these results, revealing that learners found the strategy helpful in visually organizing their ideas and meaningfully connecting sentences and paragraphs. These findings suggest that Pathfinder Maps are an effective instructional tool for improving the organization and logical flow in learners’ compositions and highlight the importance of integrating visual planning strategies in writing instruction to foster essential writing skills. Keywords: Cohesion, Coherence, Pathfinder Maps, Descriptive Quantitative Method, Grade Six, Kapalong, Philippines