Error Analysis on the Use of Reference Devices in Argumentative and Descriptive Writings of Yemeni EFL Learners at the University of Aden: A Comparative Case Study

Abstract

This paper is an attempt to analyze errors in the use of reference devices in argumentative and descriptive texts written by Yemeni EFL learners at the University of Aden. It particularly aimed at making a comparison between errors in the use of these devices in the argumentative genre and those in the descriptive genre as committed by Yemeni learners of English as a foreign language. It particularly relied on the methodology of error analysis. The sample of the study was eighteen students (n=18) of the third level in the Department of English at the Faculty of Education, University of Aden. The participants were chosen randomly to write two types of texts i.e. argumentative texts and descriptive texts. For data analysis, procedures of identifying, classifying and quantifying were used in both types of texts. The results have shown that the argumentative texts included more errors in the use of reference devices than descriptive texts. The results also revealed that misuse of reference devices was the most problematic issue in both argumentative texts and descriptive texts.