Abstract:
The general objective of this study was to investigate the difficulties or errors of students’ writing
performance: the case of Grade 12 in Antra Secondary School. To achieve this, the researcher employed
descriptive survey design which use both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The participants
of the study were grade 12 English language teachers and students of Antra Secondary School. So 112
students who were learning in 2 sections were selected through simple random sampling and two
teachers who were teaching in grade 12 were selected using available sampling method for data source.
Data were collected through questionnaire, interview and students written task analysis. Simple
descriptive and statistical analysis for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data
analysis were employed using tables, mean, numbers and percentage. The findings of the study showed
that students made many errors in writing in relation to sentence structure, vocabulary, and expressing
ideas, punctuation, prepositions, spelling, use of articles and use of irregular verbs. 72% of students
scored a low writing performance result. Only 7(28.0%) students scored above the average. The findings
also showed that lack of; grammar skill, wide reading habits, lack of deep understanding of the given
writing activities, background knowledge, knowledge of vocabulary, confidence, punctuation and
capitalization were most determinant factors that affect students’ writing performance. Based on the
major findings, it was chiefly recommended that the department should set up a special program for
writing and also concerned bodies should play their own roles to enhance the students’ writing
proficiency
