Abstract

Writing, as one of four basic skills in English learning, plays a significant role in English acquisition. However, it is not difficult to discover that the English writing is the primary weak link in Chinese schools. Both teachers and students face difficulties in the process of English writing. Errors are inevitable in learning process, so they have long been a disturbing problem for English teachers and learners. Therefore, attentions to English writing and analysis on errors appearing in English compositions are very necessary. On the basis of Error Analysis theory and previous researches, this paper aims to study the errors in junior high school writings, classify the frequently committed errors and find the sources of these errors. The author also provides some implications to both teachers and learners to cultivate the development of English writing.

This paper uses ninety-eight compositions of junior three students. Based on the EA theory, the author tries to analyze the errors in students’ compositions. With the reference to previous researches, the author classifies errors into spelling errors, morphological errors, syntactical errors, lexical errors and Chinglish. According to pioneers’ researches, various sources can be divided into three kinds: interlingual transfer, intralingual transfer and other factors. Interlingual transfer means the interference of native language when studying a second language. Intralingual transfer focuses on the incomplete understanding and misuse of English rules. Other factors include lack of language input and limitation of writing skills. At the end of the paper, relevant implications are put forward in order to give some enlightenment to teachers and students in the process of English teaching and learning. What’s more, some limitations of this study and prospection for further studies are given in this paper.

Key words: English writing; errors; error analysis; junior high school; sources of errors

Contents

Abstract

摘  要

1. Introduction-1

1.1 Background-1

1.2 Significance of the Research-1

1.3 Purpose of the Research-1

1.4 Structure of the Research-2

2. Literature Review-3

2.1 The Definition of Error and Mistake-3

2.2 Classification of Error-3

2.3 Researches on Error Analysis (EA)-4

2.3.1 Related Studies Abroad-4

2.3.2 Related Studies at Home-5

3. Research Design-6

3.1 Research Questions-6

3.2 Data Resources-6

3.3 Research Method-6

4. Results & Analysis-7

4.1 Error Types in Students’ Writing-7

4.1.1 Spelling Errors-7

4.1.2 Morphological Errors-7

4.1.3 Syntactical Errors-8

4.1.4 Lexical Errors-9

4.1.5 Chinglish-9

4.2 Sources of Errors-11

4.2.1 Interlingual Transfer-11

4.2.2 Intralingual Transfer-12

4.2.3 Other Factors-14

5. Conclusion-15

5.1 Major Findings-15

5.2 Implications-15

5.2.1 Implications for Teachers-15

5.2.2 Implications for Students-16

5.3 Limitations and Prospection-16

References-17