Technical Writing in Filipino Among Grade 10 Students: A PLS-Structural Equation Model

Technical writing is an essential skill in the Philippines that must be developed to prepare students for academic and professional communication. This research aims to examine the relationship between the technical writing skills of Grade 10 students and latent variables such as 21st Century Learning, Social Media Influence, and Writing Strategies. The study employed a quantitative causal method and Partial Least Squares–Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). PLS-SEM, known for its flexibility in handling small to medium sample sizes and non-normal data distributions, was particularly suitable for this study. It enabled the assessment of both direct and indirect effects, measurement model validity, and structural model reliability, with validated questionnaires serving as the primary instrument. The total number of participants is 400, selected through stratified random sampling from Grade 10 students in public schools in Region XII, including Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Sarangani, and Cotabato Province. Statistical tools used in the study included the mean, standard deviation, Pearson correlation, and PLS-SEM. The level of technical writing among Grade 10 students in public schools across Region XII is remarkably high, indicating their sufficient knowledge and skills in producing academic and professional documents. It was also found that writing strategies had a direct effect, while 21st-century skills and social media influence had indirect effects. The statistical model used in the study is valid and reliable, making it a valuable theoretical and practical guide for educators and researchers in understanding and enhancing students' technical writing skills.