Non-Academic Vocabulary Used by Students in Essay Writing

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the use of non-academic vocabulary in essay writing by seventh-semester students of the English Education Program at Universitas Muhammadiyah Sorong. This research employed a descriptive qualitative method with 18 students selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through a writing test in which students were asked to write essays based on given topics. The findings revealed that the most frequently used non-academic vocabulary was personal pronouns, followed by imprecise words, contractions, slang, abbreviations, and clichés. The use of non-academic vocabulary indicates students’ lack of understanding of academic writing conventions. Therefore, improving students’ awareness of appropriate academic vocabulary is essential to enhance their writing quality.