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Abstract
This study investigates the difficulties experienced by EFL students in writing essays for prose analysis, along with the strategies they use to overcome these challenges. This research used qualitative research with a case study design. The participants of the study were 14 students of the English Language and Literature department from one of the state universities in Malang, East Java. The data collection took two months. The instruments used were interviews, questionaires, observation, and documentation. The result shows that students face major challenges in essay writing, particularly in content and organization, such as making good thesis statements and conclusions, and moderate difficulties with grammar. However, they demonstrated sufficient vocabulary and mechanical skills. To address these issues, students reported employing different types of strategies. The most common were mind mapping, continuous practice, and peer discussions. Moderately used strategies included seeking feedback, using audiovisual resources, and consulting dictionaries. The least used were translating, watching YouTube videos, and using AI tools or application. These strategies were applied throughout the writing process—pre-writing, whilst writing, and post-writing—and students found them effective in improving their prose analysis essays.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Lestari Setyowati, Bianda Alzena Benyamin, Sari Karmina, Elvira Rosyida MR, Sony Sukmawan
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How to Cite
Setyowati, L., Benyamin, B. A., Karmina, S., MR, E. R., & Sukmawan, S. (2025). Challenges and Strategic Approaches in EFL Students’ Prose Analysis Essays . JOALL (Journal of Applied Linguistics and Literature), 10(2), 611–631. https://doi.org/10.33369/joall.v10i2.40055
References
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Adelita, D., Kurniati, E. Y., & Daulay, S. H. (2023). Difficulties and Strategies in Producing English Writing Text: What do EFL Students’ Perceive? Education and Human Development Journal, 8(1), 93–108. https://doi.org/10.33086/ehdj.v8i1.3698
Alisha, F., Safitri, N., Santoso, I., & Siliwangi, I. (2019). Students’ Difficulties in Writing EFL. Professional Journal of English Education, 2(1), 20-25.
Aluemalai, K., & Maniam, M. (2020). Writing Strategies Utilized by Successful and Unsuccessful ESL Undergraduate Students in Writing Classroom. Journal of English Language and Culture, 10(2), 100-110.
Ambarwati, S., & Listyani, L. (2021). Procedural Essay Writing: Students’ Problems and Strategies. LLT Journal: A Journal on Language and Language Teaching, 24(2), 364-379.
Ananda, C.R., Mardiah, R., Fajaryani, N. (2024). Writing Argumentative Essays: Jambi EFL Students’ Challenges and Strategies. Indonesian Journal of English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics, 9(2), 339-357
Ariyanti, A., & Fitriana, R. (2017). EFL Students' Difficulties and Needs in Essay Writing. International Conference on Teacher Training and Education 2017 (ICTTE 2017). 158, 32-42. DOI. 10.2991/ictte-17.2017.4
Boonyarattanasoontorn, P. (2017). An Investigation of Thai students’ English Language Writing Difficulties and Their Use of Writing Strategies. Journal of Advanced Research in Social Sciences and Humanities, 2(2), 111-118.
Bulqiyah, S., Mahbub, M., & Nugraheni, D. A. (2021). Investigating Writing Difficulties in Essay Writing: Tertiary Students' Perspectives. English Language Teaching Educational Journal, 4(1), 61-73.
Chicho, K. Z. H. (2022). An Analysis of Factors Influencing EFL Learners’ Writing Skills. Canadian Journal of Language and Literature Studies, 2(2), 28-38.
Dari, R. W., Rahmawati, E., & Akhiriyah, S. (2022). An Analysis of Writing Strategies Used by Students of English Language Department. Journal of Languages and Language Teaching, 10(3), 414-423.
Febriani, T. N. (2022). “Writing is Challenging”: Factors Contributing to Undergraduate Students’ Difficulties in Writing English Essays. Erudita: Journal of English Language Teaching, 2(1), 83-93.
Fitrawati, F., & Safitri, D. (2021). Students' Grammatical Errors in Essay Writing: A Pedagogical Grammar Reflection. International Journal of Language Education, 5(2), 74-88.
Handayani, N. D., & Johan, M. (2018). Correlation Between Problem Faced in Grammar and Writing Ability of EFL University Students. JEE (Journal of English Education), 4(2), 108-120.
Ismiati, I., & Pebriantika, E. (2020). Designing Strategies for University Students’ Writing Skill. Journal of Languages and Language Teaching, 8(1), 8-19.
Jacobs, H. L., S. A. Zingraf, D. R. Wormuth, V. F. Hartfiel, & J. B. Hughey. (1981). Testing ESL Composition: A Practical Approach. Rowley, MA: Newbury House.
Junianti, R., Pratolo, B. W., & Tri Wulandari, A. (2020). The Strategies of Learning Writing Used by EFL Learners at A Higher Education Institution. Ethical Lingua: Journal of Language Teaching and Literature, 7(1), 64–73. https://doi.org/10.30605/25409190.131
Khudhair, N. K. (2016). The Impact of Applying Mind Mapping Technique as a Pre-Writing Tool on EFL College Students in Essay Writing. Journal of college of education for women, 27(1), 426-436.
Latief, M. A. (2019). Research Methods on Language Learning: An Introduction. Malang: Universitas Negeri Malang.
Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldaña, J. (2014). Qualitative data analysis: A methods sourcebook. 3rd. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Mohammad, T., & Hazarika, Z. (2016). Difficulties of Learning EFL in KSA: Writing Skills in Context. International Journal of English Linguistics, 6(3), 105-117.
Novariana, H., Sumardi, S., & Tarjana, S. S. (2018). Senior High School Students’ Problems in Writing: A Preliminary Study of Implementing Writing E-journal as Self Assessment to Promote Students’ Writing Skill. In English Language and Literature International Conference (ELLiC) Proceedings (Vol. 2, pp. 216-219).
Oktavianti, D., Gusmuliana, P., & Apriani, E. (2021). The Students’ Strategies in Developing Their Ideas in Writing Essay. Jadila: Journal of Development and Innovation in Language and Literature Education, 1(4), 389-406.
Oshima, A., & Hogue, A. (2006). Introduction to Academic Writing 3rd Edition. Pearson/Longman.
Pratiwi, K. D. (2016). Students’ Difficulties in Writing English (A study at the Third Semester Students of English Education Program at University of Bengkulu Academic Year 2011-2012). Linguists: Journal of Linguistics and Language Teaching, 3(1).
Rorintulus, O., Ali, M. I., & Tatipang, D. P. (2023). Text Book Analysis Prose. Penerbit Tahta Media.
Rosadi, N., & Utama, W. (2023). Simplifikasi Pembuatan Esai Opini Mahasiswa melalui Teknik Penulisan Argumentasi Induktif. Nitisara, 1(2), 50-55.
Saprina, C. M., Rosyid, A., & Suryanti, Y. (2020). Difficulties in Developing Idea Encountered by Students in Writing Argumentative Essay. Journal of English Language Studies, 5 (1), 48-54.
Setiawan, A., & Mulyadi, D. (2021). The Portfolio Assessment to Teach Writing of Opinion Essay. Language Circle: Journal of Language and Literature, 15(2), 329-336.
Setiyorini, T. J., Dewi, P., & Masykuri, E. S. (2020). The Grammatical Error Analysis Found in Students’ Composition. Lensa: Kajian Kebahasaan, Kesusastraan, dan Budaya, 10(2), 218-233.
Setyowati, L., & Sukmawan, S. (2018). Writing for Comprehension in Prose Fiction Analysis: The students’ Voices. Arab World English Journal (AWEJ), 9 (1). 134- 145
Sitasari, N. W. (2022). Mengenal Analisa konten dan Analisa Tematik Dalam Penelitian Kualitatif. Forum Ilmiah, 19 (1), 77-84.
Suryanto, & Sari, Z. E. (2021). Difficulties and Strategies in Learning English: An Analysis of Students From English and Non-English Education Department in Indonesia. Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Sustainable Innovation 2020–Social, Humanity, and Education (ICoSIHESS 2020). https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.210120.140
Wahid, J. H., & Sudirman, S. (2023). The Effect of Mind Mapping Technique on Students' Writing Skills. Journal of Languages and Language Teaching, 11(1), 39-49.
Waruwu, M. (2023). Pendekatan Penelitian Pendidikan: Metode Penelitian Kualitatif, Metode Penelitian Kuantitatif dan Metode Penelitian Kombinasi (Mixed Method). Jurnal Pendidikan Tambusai, 7(1), 2896-2910.
Yuliani, I., & Fadhly, F. Z. (2020). Learning Through Learners: Indonesian EFL Learners’ Writing Strategies Experiences. LEARNING, 3(2), 101-110.
Yulianti, D. B. (2018). Learning Strategies Applied by the Students in Writing English Text. Journal on English as a Foreign Language, 8(1), 19-38.
References
Adelita, D., Kurniati, E. Y., & Daulay, S. H. (2023). Difficulties and Strategies in Producing English Writing Text: What do EFL Students’ Perceive? Education and Human Development Journal, 8(1), 93–108. https://doi.org/10.33086/ehdj.v8i1.3698
Alisha, F., Safitri, N., Santoso, I., & Siliwangi, I. (2019). Students’ Difficulties in Writing EFL. Professional Journal of English Education, 2(1), 20-25.
Aluemalai, K., & Maniam, M. (2020). Writing Strategies Utilized by Successful and Unsuccessful ESL Undergraduate Students in Writing Classroom. Journal of English Language and Culture, 10(2), 100-110.
Ambarwati, S., & Listyani, L. (2021). Procedural Essay Writing: Students’ Problems and Strategies. LLT Journal: A Journal on Language and Language Teaching, 24(2), 364-379.
Ananda, C.R., Mardiah, R., Fajaryani, N. (2024). Writing Argumentative Essays: Jambi EFL Students’ Challenges and Strategies. Indonesian Journal of English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics, 9(2), 339-357
Ariyanti, A., & Fitriana, R. (2017). EFL Students' Difficulties and Needs in Essay Writing. International Conference on Teacher Training and Education 2017 (ICTTE 2017). 158, 32-42. DOI. 10.2991/ictte-17.2017.4
Boonyarattanasoontorn, P. (2017). An Investigation of Thai students’ English Language Writing Difficulties and Their Use of Writing Strategies. Journal of Advanced Research in Social Sciences and Humanities, 2(2), 111-118.
Bulqiyah, S., Mahbub, M., & Nugraheni, D. A. (2021). Investigating Writing Difficulties in Essay Writing: Tertiary Students' Perspectives. English Language Teaching Educational Journal, 4(1), 61-73.
Chicho, K. Z. H. (2022). An Analysis of Factors Influencing EFL Learners’ Writing Skills. Canadian Journal of Language and Literature Studies, 2(2), 28-38.
Dari, R. W., Rahmawati, E., & Akhiriyah, S. (2022). An Analysis of Writing Strategies Used by Students of English Language Department. Journal of Languages and Language Teaching, 10(3), 414-423.
Febriani, T. N. (2022). “Writing is Challenging”: Factors Contributing to Undergraduate Students’ Difficulties in Writing English Essays. Erudita: Journal of English Language Teaching, 2(1), 83-93.
Fitrawati, F., & Safitri, D. (2021). Students' Grammatical Errors in Essay Writing: A Pedagogical Grammar Reflection. International Journal of Language Education, 5(2), 74-88.
Handayani, N. D., & Johan, M. (2018). Correlation Between Problem Faced in Grammar and Writing Ability of EFL University Students. JEE (Journal of English Education), 4(2), 108-120.
Ismiati, I., & Pebriantika, E. (2020). Designing Strategies for University Students’ Writing Skill. Journal of Languages and Language Teaching, 8(1), 8-19.
Jacobs, H. L., S. A. Zingraf, D. R. Wormuth, V. F. Hartfiel, & J. B. Hughey. (1981). Testing ESL Composition: A Practical Approach. Rowley, MA: Newbury House.
Junianti, R., Pratolo, B. W., & Tri Wulandari, A. (2020). The Strategies of Learning Writing Used by EFL Learners at A Higher Education Institution. Ethical Lingua: Journal of Language Teaching and Literature, 7(1), 64–73. https://doi.org/10.30605/25409190.131
Khudhair, N. K. (2016). The Impact of Applying Mind Mapping Technique as a Pre-Writing Tool on EFL College Students in Essay Writing. Journal of college of education for women, 27(1), 426-436.
Latief, M. A. (2019). Research Methods on Language Learning: An Introduction. Malang: Universitas Negeri Malang.
Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldaña, J. (2014). Qualitative data analysis: A methods sourcebook. 3rd. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Mohammad, T., & Hazarika, Z. (2016). Difficulties of Learning EFL in KSA: Writing Skills in Context. International Journal of English Linguistics, 6(3), 105-117.
Novariana, H., Sumardi, S., & Tarjana, S. S. (2018). Senior High School Students’ Problems in Writing: A Preliminary Study of Implementing Writing E-journal as Self Assessment to Promote Students’ Writing Skill. In English Language and Literature International Conference (ELLiC) Proceedings (Vol. 2, pp. 216-219).
Oktavianti, D., Gusmuliana, P., & Apriani, E. (2021). The Students’ Strategies in Developing Their Ideas in Writing Essay. Jadila: Journal of Development and Innovation in Language and Literature Education, 1(4), 389-406.
Oshima, A., & Hogue, A. (2006). Introduction to Academic Writing 3rd Edition. Pearson/Longman.
Pratiwi, K. D. (2016). Students’ Difficulties in Writing English (A study at the Third Semester Students of English Education Program at University of Bengkulu Academic Year 2011-2012). Linguists: Journal of Linguistics and Language Teaching, 3(1).
Rorintulus, O., Ali, M. I., & Tatipang, D. P. (2023). Text Book Analysis Prose. Penerbit Tahta Media.
Rosadi, N., & Utama, W. (2023). Simplifikasi Pembuatan Esai Opini Mahasiswa melalui Teknik Penulisan Argumentasi Induktif. Nitisara, 1(2), 50-55.
Saprina, C. M., Rosyid, A., & Suryanti, Y. (2020). Difficulties in Developing Idea Encountered by Students in Writing Argumentative Essay. Journal of English Language Studies, 5 (1), 48-54.
Setiawan, A., & Mulyadi, D. (2021). The Portfolio Assessment to Teach Writing of Opinion Essay. Language Circle: Journal of Language and Literature, 15(2), 329-336.
Setiyorini, T. J., Dewi, P., & Masykuri, E. S. (2020). The Grammatical Error Analysis Found in Students’ Composition. Lensa: Kajian Kebahasaan, Kesusastraan, dan Budaya, 10(2), 218-233.
Setyowati, L., & Sukmawan, S. (2018). Writing for Comprehension in Prose Fiction Analysis: The students’ Voices. Arab World English Journal (AWEJ), 9 (1). 134- 145
Sitasari, N. W. (2022). Mengenal Analisa konten dan Analisa Tematik Dalam Penelitian Kualitatif. Forum Ilmiah, 19 (1), 77-84.
Suryanto, & Sari, Z. E. (2021). Difficulties and Strategies in Learning English: An Analysis of Students From English and Non-English Education Department in Indonesia. Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Sustainable Innovation 2020–Social, Humanity, and Education (ICoSIHESS 2020). https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.210120.140
Wahid, J. H., & Sudirman, S. (2023). The Effect of Mind Mapping Technique on Students' Writing Skills. Journal of Languages and Language Teaching, 11(1), 39-49.
Waruwu, M. (2023). Pendekatan Penelitian Pendidikan: Metode Penelitian Kualitatif, Metode Penelitian Kuantitatif dan Metode Penelitian Kombinasi (Mixed Method). Jurnal Pendidikan Tambusai, 7(1), 2896-2910.
Yuliani, I., & Fadhly, F. Z. (2020). Learning Through Learners: Indonesian EFL Learners’ Writing Strategies Experiences. LEARNING, 3(2), 101-110.
Yulianti, D. B. (2018). Learning Strategies Applied by the Students in Writing English Text. Journal on English as a Foreign Language, 8(1), 19-38.
Alisha, F., Safitri, N., Santoso, I., & Siliwangi, I. (2019). Students’ Difficulties in Writing EFL. Professional Journal of English Education, 2(1), 20-25.
Aluemalai, K., & Maniam, M. (2020). Writing Strategies Utilized by Successful and Unsuccessful ESL Undergraduate Students in Writing Classroom. Journal of English Language and Culture, 10(2), 100-110.
Ambarwati, S., & Listyani, L. (2021). Procedural Essay Writing: Students’ Problems and Strategies. LLT Journal: A Journal on Language and Language Teaching, 24(2), 364-379.
Ananda, C.R., Mardiah, R., Fajaryani, N. (2024). Writing Argumentative Essays: Jambi EFL Students’ Challenges and Strategies. Indonesian Journal of English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics, 9(2), 339-357
Ariyanti, A., & Fitriana, R. (2017). EFL Students' Difficulties and Needs in Essay Writing. International Conference on Teacher Training and Education 2017 (ICTTE 2017). 158, 32-42. DOI. 10.2991/ictte-17.2017.4
Boonyarattanasoontorn, P. (2017). An Investigation of Thai students’ English Language Writing Difficulties and Their Use of Writing Strategies. Journal of Advanced Research in Social Sciences and Humanities, 2(2), 111-118.
Bulqiyah, S., Mahbub, M., & Nugraheni, D. A. (2021). Investigating Writing Difficulties in Essay Writing: Tertiary Students' Perspectives. English Language Teaching Educational Journal, 4(1), 61-73.
Chicho, K. Z. H. (2022). An Analysis of Factors Influencing EFL Learners’ Writing Skills. Canadian Journal of Language and Literature Studies, 2(2), 28-38.
Dari, R. W., Rahmawati, E., & Akhiriyah, S. (2022). An Analysis of Writing Strategies Used by Students of English Language Department. Journal of Languages and Language Teaching, 10(3), 414-423.
Febriani, T. N. (2022). “Writing is Challenging”: Factors Contributing to Undergraduate Students’ Difficulties in Writing English Essays. Erudita: Journal of English Language Teaching, 2(1), 83-93.
Fitrawati, F., & Safitri, D. (2021). Students' Grammatical Errors in Essay Writing: A Pedagogical Grammar Reflection. International Journal of Language Education, 5(2), 74-88.
Handayani, N. D., & Johan, M. (2018). Correlation Between Problem Faced in Grammar and Writing Ability of EFL University Students. JEE (Journal of English Education), 4(2), 108-120.
Ismiati, I., & Pebriantika, E. (2020). Designing Strategies for University Students’ Writing Skill. Journal of Languages and Language Teaching, 8(1), 8-19.
Jacobs, H. L., S. A. Zingraf, D. R. Wormuth, V. F. Hartfiel, & J. B. Hughey. (1981). Testing ESL Composition: A Practical Approach. Rowley, MA: Newbury House.
Junianti, R., Pratolo, B. W., & Tri Wulandari, A. (2020). The Strategies of Learning Writing Used by EFL Learners at A Higher Education Institution. Ethical Lingua: Journal of Language Teaching and Literature, 7(1), 64–73. https://doi.org/10.30605/25409190.131
Khudhair, N. K. (2016). The Impact of Applying Mind Mapping Technique as a Pre-Writing Tool on EFL College Students in Essay Writing. Journal of college of education for women, 27(1), 426-436.
Latief, M. A. (2019). Research Methods on Language Learning: An Introduction. Malang: Universitas Negeri Malang.
Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldaña, J. (2014). Qualitative data analysis: A methods sourcebook. 3rd. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Mohammad, T., & Hazarika, Z. (2016). Difficulties of Learning EFL in KSA: Writing Skills in Context. International Journal of English Linguistics, 6(3), 105-117.
Novariana, H., Sumardi, S., & Tarjana, S. S. (2018). Senior High School Students’ Problems in Writing: A Preliminary Study of Implementing Writing E-journal as Self Assessment to Promote Students’ Writing Skill. In English Language and Literature International Conference (ELLiC) Proceedings (Vol. 2, pp. 216-219).
Oktavianti, D., Gusmuliana, P., & Apriani, E. (2021). The Students’ Strategies in Developing Their Ideas in Writing Essay. Jadila: Journal of Development and Innovation in Language and Literature Education, 1(4), 389-406.
Oshima, A., & Hogue, A. (2006). Introduction to Academic Writing 3rd Edition. Pearson/Longman.
Pratiwi, K. D. (2016). Students’ Difficulties in Writing English (A study at the Third Semester Students of English Education Program at University of Bengkulu Academic Year 2011-2012). Linguists: Journal of Linguistics and Language Teaching, 3(1).
Rorintulus, O., Ali, M. I., & Tatipang, D. P. (2023). Text Book Analysis Prose. Penerbit Tahta Media.
Rosadi, N., & Utama, W. (2023). Simplifikasi Pembuatan Esai Opini Mahasiswa melalui Teknik Penulisan Argumentasi Induktif. Nitisara, 1(2), 50-55.
Saprina, C. M., Rosyid, A., & Suryanti, Y. (2020). Difficulties in Developing Idea Encountered by Students in Writing Argumentative Essay. Journal of English Language Studies, 5 (1), 48-54.
Setiawan, A., & Mulyadi, D. (2021). The Portfolio Assessment to Teach Writing of Opinion Essay. Language Circle: Journal of Language and Literature, 15(2), 329-336.
Setiyorini, T. J., Dewi, P., & Masykuri, E. S. (2020). The Grammatical Error Analysis Found in Students’ Composition. Lensa: Kajian Kebahasaan, Kesusastraan, dan Budaya, 10(2), 218-233.
Setyowati, L., & Sukmawan, S. (2018). Writing for Comprehension in Prose Fiction Analysis: The students’ Voices. Arab World English Journal (AWEJ), 9 (1). 134- 145
Sitasari, N. W. (2022). Mengenal Analisa konten dan Analisa Tematik Dalam Penelitian Kualitatif. Forum Ilmiah, 19 (1), 77-84.
Suryanto, & Sari, Z. E. (2021). Difficulties and Strategies in Learning English: An Analysis of Students From English and Non-English Education Department in Indonesia. Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Sustainable Innovation 2020–Social, Humanity, and Education (ICoSIHESS 2020). https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.210120.140
Wahid, J. H., & Sudirman, S. (2023). The Effect of Mind Mapping Technique on Students' Writing Skills. Journal of Languages and Language Teaching, 11(1), 39-49.
Waruwu, M. (2023). Pendekatan Penelitian Pendidikan: Metode Penelitian Kualitatif, Metode Penelitian Kuantitatif dan Metode Penelitian Kombinasi (Mixed Method). Jurnal Pendidikan Tambusai, 7(1), 2896-2910.
Yuliani, I., & Fadhly, F. Z. (2020). Learning Through Learners: Indonesian EFL Learners’ Writing Strategies Experiences. LEARNING, 3(2), 101-110.
Yulianti, D. B. (2018). Learning Strategies Applied by the Students in Writing English Text. Journal on English as a Foreign Language, 8(1), 19-38.