Types and Attributes of Writing Errors with Reference to Paragraph Writing

Abstract

Errors are a fundamental part of language acquisition. Researchers have
examined the learners’ errors to understand the process of second language
acquisition. Findings suggest that understanding the sources errors can contribute to
better second language teaching practices. The aim of this study paper is therefore
to give a brief account of the types, techniques and treatment of second language
learners' errors, with reference to paragraph writing. The data for this study were
seventeen students at the under graduate level – University of Benghazi. The data
for this study was collected via assignment given to the students in which they were
asked to write a paragraph describing a family member. The results show that
students at the department of English encounter serious problems related to
paragraph writing; the total number of errors that Libyan students made were 97
error. The maximum number of errors were made in spelling was 44 which came to
45.3% of errors. On the other hand, the minimum number of errors in writing
recorded in this study was in the wrong use of ‘capitalization’. The total number of
errors in the use of capitalization was 1, which constituted 1.0 % of errors.