Abstract:
The main purpose of this study was to investigate learners’ problem of writing an effective
paragraph in the case of grade 12 of Haik preparatory school of south Wollo. To achieve this,
the researcher applied descriptive research design. The participants of the study were four
EFL teachers of grade 11 and 12, and fourty students of grade 12 of Haik Secondary and
Preparatory School of South Wollo Zone. Convenience and random sampling techniques were
used in selecting the sample size the participants of the study. In analyzing the gained results
from the discussion, he used both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The
instruments were document analysis as a major tool, and questionnaire and interview were the
other tools of the study. The major findings were elements of an effective paragraph such a
topic sentence, developers, unity, coherence, paragraph connectors and conclusion. Even
though grade 12 students had many problems, the gained results indicate that most learners of
12 Haik preparatory faced the problem of writing the topic sentence clearly in their
paragraphs more than other elements. Moreover, learners had the problems of assertion,
illustration, analysis, punctuation, capitalization and spelling. Hence, punctuation was the
dominant difficulty of many learners. The problems of steps and causes in writing an effective
paragraph were the other findings of this study. The sample learners used different steps while
they wrote their paragraphs. Regarding with the causes of the problem, poor educational
background of students and the strategies teachers used were the most serious problems.
Based on the obtained results, the researcher recommended that teachers should assist their
students to make students familiar with all elements paragraph.
