Strategies and Challenges in Enhancing Critical Thinking for Writing Descriptive Text
Abstract
Critical thinking is one of the essential learning outcomes in Education, particularly in enhancing students’ writing ability. However, many students still face difficulties ini applying critical thinking in writing descriptive text, especially in generating and organizing ideas. This research purposed to envestigate the effectiveness of various strategies and identify challenges in enhancing students’ critical thinking in writing descriptive text. This study employed a qualitative descriptive approach, with data collected through classroom observation and writing tests. The findings revealed that the lecturer need to prioritize interactive approaches to foster critical thinking. The main challenges included limited vocabulary, difficulty in generating ideas, lack of coherence, grammatical errors, and unclear ideas. This strategies applied included encouraging reading, providing visual aids, and implementing innovative teaching methods. The mean score of test was 64.94%, it is indicated students’ difficulties. This study concluded that the effective strategies can improve students’ critical thinking in writing descriptive text.
Keywords
References
Abulhul, Z. (2021). Teaching strategies for enhancing student’s learning. Journal of Practical Studies in Education, 2(3), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.46809/jpse.v2i3.22
Aini, R. N. (2024). Students ’ Perceptions of the Use of Story Mapping in Reading Comprehension of Descriptive Text. Journal of Language Teaching and Learning, Linguistics and Literature, 4778(3), 2415–2433. https://doi.org/10.2456/ideas.
Alinda, S., & Asnas, M. (2022). The academic writing challenhes faed by Indonesian undergaduate EFL learniers at University of Islam Malang. Universitas Islam Malang.
Apoko & Chong, S. L. (2024). EFL students’ learning motivation and descriptive essay in the context of blended learning design. Journal of English Education and Linguistics Studies, 11(1), 429–451. https://doi.org/10.30762/jeels.v11i1.2656
Azlia, L. M. (2021). Expressing opinions and giving reasonsasastrategytoincreasethestudents’ speaking performance. Journal of English Education and Social Science (JEESS), 1(1), 23–31.
Backers, L., & Keer, H. Van. (2025). Implementing self-regulated learning in classrooms: Connecting what primary school teachers think and do through video-based observations and interviews. Behavioral Sciences, 15(12), 1–31. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15121627
Bakhrullayevna, T. (2024). Enhancing critical thinking skills in education: Strategies, challenges and. 35–37.
Bans-Akutey, A., & Tiimub, B. M. (2021). Triangulation in research. Academia Letters, October. https://doi.org/10.20935/al3392
Bayou, Y., & Kitila, T. (2023). The promotion of critical thinking in writing classes: University stduents’ perceptions and critical thinking perfomance in writing. Journal of English Language Studies, 8(2), 232–248. https://jurnal.untirta.ac.id/index.php/JELS/article/view/19677
Budiman, M. A., Wahyuni, S., Wisnu, M. F., Rahman, A., Kharrisma, M., Kholid, I., & Zidnal, M. (2026). Enhancing Critical Thinking , Communication Skills , and Self Confidence through Inquiry Based Learning in Secretaryship Courses. Journal of English Language and Education, 11(2), 156–165. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.31004/jele.v11i2.2193
Cahyaningrum, N. (2022). The strategies of teaching writing descriptive text at eighth grade of MTSN 1 Purbalingga. Universitas Profesor Kiai haji saifudiin Zuhra Purwokerto.
Chan, C. (2019). Children and Youth Services Review Using digital storytelling to facilitate critical thinking disposition in youth civic engagement : A randomized control trial. Children and Youth Services Review, 107(September), 104522. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.104522
Deep, Promethi Das; Chen, Y. (2025). The Role of AI in Academic Writing : Impacts on Writing Skills , Critical Thinking , and Integrity in Higher Education. Societies, 15(247), 1–19. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/ soc15090247
Dekker, T. J. (2020). Teaching critical thinking through engagement with multiplicity. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 37(May), 100701. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2020.100701
Din, M. (2020). Evaluating university students’ critical thinking ability as reflected in their critical reading skill: A study at bachelor level in Pakistan. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 35(March), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2020.100627
Erna, N. (2022). An analysis on the english teacher ’ s strategies in teaching descriptive writing through online class. Enormous:Englsih Education Journal, 1(1), 36–45. http://ojs.unsamakassar.ac.id/edj/article/view/41/98
Eslit, E. R. (2023). Writing in the digital era: The amazing evolution of pen and paper to screens and keyboards. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202305.1197
Fitriana, E. A., & Syafitri, D. (2023). Using make a match technique in teaching descriptive text to the seventh grade students of smp negeri 2 lubuklinggau. ELite Journal : International Journal of Education, Language, and Literature, 3(2), 109–121. https://journal.unesa.ac.id/index.php/elite
Fitriani. (2020). An analysis on the english teacher’s strategies in teaching descriptive writing through online class at the seventh grade of SMP N 3 gubug. IAIN Salatiga.
Golden, B. (2023). Enabling critical thinking development in higher education through the use of a structured planning tool. Irish Educational Studies ISSN:, 42(4). https://doi.org/10.1080/03323315.2023.2258497
Heard, J., Scoular, C., Duckworth, D., Ramalingam, D., & Teo, I. (2020). Critical thinking : Skill development framework. In The Australian Council for Educational Research Ltd (pp. 1–23). The Australian Council for Educational Research Ltd 19.
Hemmler, Y. M., & Ifenthaler, D. (2024). Self-regulated learning strategies in continuing education : A systematic review and meta-analysis. Educational Research Review, 45(August), 100629. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2024.100629
Hou, C., Zhu, G., Liu, Y., Sudarshan, V., Leng, J., Chong, L., Yifan, F., Yong, M., & Tan, H. (2026). Computers & Education The effects of critical thinking intervention on reliance behaviors , problem-solving quality , and creativity during human-Generative AI collaborative learning. Computers & Education, 247(January), 105576. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2026.105576
Isro, L., Ulung Anggraito, Y., & Harnina Bintari, S. (2021). Description of students’ critical thinking skills in integrated pjbl stem learning environmental change material. Journal of Innovative Science Education, 10(3), 237–243. http://journal.unnes.ac.id/sju/index.php/jise
Johan, A. (2024). An analysis of critical thinking skills through argumentative essay writing. 2010, 36–45. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.33197/ejlutama.v8i1.232
Karima, Tayaa; Hellalet, S. (2022). The use of language learning strategies to develop learners ’ vocabulary knowledge and writing proficiency. December. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/366581954%0AThe
Kuo, H., Chang, C., Wang, J., & Linjun, E. (2024). Creating my own story : Improving children ’ s creative thinking and composition creativity through a three-staged individual-group-individual story writing framework. Cognitive Development, 72(October), 101513. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cogdev.2024.101513
Lim, S., & Kim, D. (2021). International Journal of Educational Research Open English learners ’ science-literacy practice through explicit writing instruction in invention-based learning. International Journal of Educational Research Open, 2(January), 100029. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedro.2020.100029
Lina, Y. R., Luthfi, A., & Haris, H. (2026). The Effect of Inquiry- Based Learning on Students ’ Writing Skills at Senior High School 1 Kampar Utara. Journal of English Language and Education, 11(2), 107–115. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.31004/jele.v11i2.1953
Lu, S. N. T., & Nguyen, H. B. (2022). University students’ critical thinking skills: teachers’ perceptions and practices in argumentative essays. European Journal of English Language Teaching, 7(4), 69–87. https://doi.org/10.46827/ejel.v7i4.4417
Mali, Y. (2023). EFL students’ challenges in writing research proposals. LLT Journal: A Journal on Language and Language Learning, 25(1), 132–148. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.24071/llt.v26i1.5296
Marue, M. G., & Pantas, M. B. (2019). Challenges in descriptive essay writing : A case of indonesian EFL leaners. International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change, 8(12), 88–103. https://www.ijicc.net/images/vol8iss12/81205_Marue_2019_E1_R.pdf
Maulidina, hanifah. (2020). Teacher’s startegies to enhace students higher order thinking skills in teaching reading to the sventh garde students of SMP Al-Islam 1 Surakarta. IAIAN Surakarta.
Misnar, M., Yasin, B., Machdar, I., Samad, I., Listia, S., & Misnawati, M. (2025). Enhancing reading skills through innovative pedagogical approaches : A lesson study research investigation. Research and Development in Education (RaDEn), 5(1), 76–87. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.22219/raden.v5i1. 37435
Misnawati; As’ari, C. (2023). Error analysis in completing structure section of TOEFL test. Exposure: Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, 12(November), 366–381. https://doi.org/10.26618/exposure.v12i2.12848
Misnawati; Sylvia, R. (2019). Enhancing students’ writing skill through problem based learning strategy to the second yearstudents of SMA NegerI 2 Bireuen. Jurnal Pendidikan Almuslim, VII(2), 75–82.
Misnawati, M. (2018). Improving students’ ability in writing descriptive text trough draw label caption (DLC) technique to the second year students of SMPN 1 Peudada (A collaborative classroom action research). Jurnal Pendidikan Almuslim, 6(1), 20–27. http://jfkip.umuslim.ac.id/index.php/jupa/article/view/333
Misnawati, M., Misnar, M., & Dewi, S. L. (2024). Understanding varieties and essential components in relative clauses. 1(1). https://ojs.unimal.ac.id/mijeshi/MICESHI Vol.
Mogea, T. (2022). Students’ critical thinking ability in english teaching and learning. Jupensi, 2(3), 159–171. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.55606/jupensi.v2i3.977
Moses, R. N., & Mohamad, M. (2019). Challenges faced by students and teachers on writing skills in ESL contexts : A Literature review. Scientific Research Publshing, 3385–3391. https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2019.1013260
Moulidia, L. al. (2022). Upgrading the students ’ ability in writing skill through implementation of directive feedback method. 2(2), 1–14. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.51179/jeess.v2i2.1530
Mulyasin, M. A., Zamzam, A., Putera, L. J., Amin, M., & Arfah, H. (2023). The challenges and strategies in writing descriptive text on local places in the efl essay writing course. Jurnal Educatio, 9(4), 2086–2092. https://doi.org/10.31949/educatio.v9i4.6017
Munna, A. S., & Kalam, M. A. (2021). Teaching and learning process to enhance teaching effectiveness: literature review. International Journal of Humanities and Innovation (IJHI), 4(1), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.33750/ijhi.v4i1.102
Novrianti, A., & Alimin, A; Husain, D. (2023). Teacher’s strategies to cope with students’ problems in writing descriptive text at SMA Negeri 1 Napabalano. Journal of Teaching of English, 8(2), 41–47. https://doi.org/10.36709/jte.v8i2.37
Nurfaizah; Putro, Khamim Zarkasih; Tejaningrum, D. (2022). Students ’ Critical Thinking Skills in the Learning Strategy Course. Jurnal Penelitian Ilmu Pendidikan, 15(1), 46–54. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.21831/jpipfip.v15i1.41689
Parico, A., & Layco, E. (2020). A descriptive analysis of the critical thinking and argumentation skills of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics students. International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change, 14(8). https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.13209.03684
Phyo, WM; Nikolov, Marianne; Hodi, A. (2023). Doctoral students ’ english academic writing experiences through metaphor analysis. Heliyon, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13293
Rashid, Harun, Md; Ye, T. et all. (2022). Analyse and challenges of teaching writing among the english teachers. Academic Writing, Challenge Writing, English Teachers, L2 Writer, Teachers Problems., 6(August 2021), 199–209. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.21744/lingcure.v6nS2.2004
Rinaldy, A., Pratiwi, Y., Andajani, K., Numertayasa, I. W., Suharti, S., & Darwis, A. (2023). International journal of educational research open exploring artificial intelligence in academic essay : higher education student ’ s perspective. International Journal of Educational Research Open, 5(September), 100296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedro.2023.100296
Samanhudi, U; Linse, C. (2019). Critical thinking-related challenges to academic writing : A case of Indonesian postgraduate students at a UK University. 13, 107–114. https://doi.org/10.21512/lc.v13i1.5122
Sarigoz, O. (2024). Teaching the 21st century learning skills with the critical thinking technique based on the argumentation method. Educational Policy Analysis and Strategic Research, 18(March 2023), 196–218. https://doi.org/10.29329/epasr.2023.525.9
Soy, S., Maisarah, I., Sovann, L., & Maisarah, I. (2023). Students ’ perceptions of literary texts , challenges in learning , andlLearning strategies. Journal of English Teaching and Learning, 6(2), 81–94. https://doi.org/10.21043/jetli.v6i2.19925
Tesfay, H., & Hiluf, B. (2023). International journal of educational research open using need-based writing instruction through self-reflection to improve students ’ writing difficulties : A counterbalanced design. International Journal of Educational Research Open, 5(September), 100293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedro.2023.100293
Veronika, R., Camelia, C., Febriliana, R., & Yapen, Y. E. (2023). Digital Literacy As a Social Mobilization and Learning Platform. SEIKAT: Jurnal Ilmu Sosial, Politik Dan Hukum, 2(3), 228–241. https://doi.org/10.55681/seikat.v2i3.544
Widiati, U., Intan, T., Tengku, S., & Hanifiyah, L. (2023). Reading engagement of Indonesian secondary EFL teachers as literacy indicators perceived over reading resources and pleasure reading. Ijal: Indonesian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 12(3), 828–839. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.17509/ijal.v12i3.45559
Wiwikananda, S. K. S. S. A. (2022). Improving students’ critical thinking skills through digital story telling on narrative text. Pioneer: Journal of Language and Literature, 14(2), 356–375. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.36841/pioneer.v14i2.1685
Yuan, R. Y. S. (2020). Enhancing undergraduates ’ critical thinking through research engagement : A practitioner research approach. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 38(December), 1–7. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2020.100737
Yusuf, Q. et all. (2019). Cooperative learning strategies to enhance writing skills among second language learners. International Journal of Instruction, 12(1), 1399–1412. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2019.12189a
Zhao, G., Sheng, H., Wang, Y., Cai, X., & Long, T. (2025). Generative artificial intelligence amplifies the role of critical thinking skills and reduces reliance on prior knowledge while promoting in-depth learning. Education Sciences, 15(554), 2–19.
Zuraini & Misnawati. (2023). Pengembangan modul e-learning berbasis learning management system sebagai media interaktif pada complex english rrammar. JIIP (Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu Pendidikan), 6(3), 1957–1968. https://jiip.stkipyapisdompu.ac.id/jiip/index.php/JIIP/article/view/1552
Zuraini, et all. (2021). Boosting the students in mastering writing skill through the implementation of PPPIE (Point, Presentation, Illustration, Explanation) Technique. Jurnal Culture (Culture, Language, and Literature Review), 8(1), 100–111. https://doi.org/10.53873/culture.v8i1.230
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31004/jele.v11i3.2460
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Copyright (c) 2026 Misnawati Misnawati, Syifa Ul Aini, Misya Niftalia, Husnul Khatimah, Nifyatul Ahya
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
