This research aims to describe the ability of eighth-grade students at SMPN 1 Abung Semuli in using conjunctions in narrative writing. The research focuses on identifying the types of conjunctions used and analyzing the accuracy of their usage in constructing cohesive and coherent narrative texts. This study employs a qualitative descriptive approach, with the research subjects being eighth-grade students of SMPN 1 Abung Semuli. The data consist of sentences containing conjunctions taken from students’ narrative compositions with the theme of school holidays. Data were collected through documentation techniques followed by careful reading and note-taking. The data analysis involved identifying conjunctions, classifying their types, coding their usage, and evaluating their appropriateness based on sentence and discourse context. The findings indicate that students used three main types of conjunctions: coordinating conjunctions, temporal conjunctions, and causal subordinating conjunctions. Coordinating conjunctions were the most frequently used, particularly and, which functioned to link equivalent elements within sentences. Temporal conjunctions were used to organize events chronologically in narratives; however, many non-standard forms influenced by spoken language, such as pas and habis, were still found. Causal conjunctions were used least frequently, although their usage was generally accurate. Errors in conjunction usage included excessive repetition, improper placement of conjunctions at the beginning of sentences, and confusion between conjunctions and time adverbials. Overall, students demonstrated a fairly good ability to use conjunctions, but improvements are needed in terms of language standardization, variation of conjunctions, and sentence effectiveness. The results of this study are expected to contribute to improving narrative writing instruction at the junior high school level.

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan kemampuan siswa kelas VIII SMPN 1 Abung Semuli dalam menggunakan konjungsi pada karangan narasi. Fokus penelitian diarahkan pada jenis konjungsi yang digunakan serta ketepatan penggunaannya dalam membangun kohesi dan koherensi teks naratif. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan deskriptif kualitatif dengan subjek penelitian siswa kelas VIII SMPN 1 Abung Semuli. Data penelitian berupa kalimat-kalimat yang mengandung konjungsi dalam karangan narasi bertema liburan sekolah. Pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui teknik dokumentasi yang dilanjutkan dengan teknik baca dan catat. Data dianalisis melalui tahapan identifikasi, klasifikasi, pengkodean, serta analisis ketepatan penggunaan konjungsi berdasarkan konteks kalimat dan wacana. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa siswa telah menggunakan tiga jenis konjungsi utama, yaitu konjungsi koordinatif, konjungsi temporal, dan konjungsi subordinatif sebab–akibat. Konjungsi koordinatif merupakan jenis yang paling dominan digunakan, terutama konjungsi dan, yang berfungsi menghubungkan unsur-unsur setara dalam kalimat. Konjungsi temporal digunakan untuk membangun urutan peristiwa dalam narasi, tetapi masih banyak ditemukan bentuk tidak baku yang dipengaruhi bahasa lisan, seperti pas dan habis. Sementara itu, penggunaan konjungsi subordinatif sebab–akibat ditemukan paling sedikit, meskipun pada umumnya digunakan secara tepat. Kesalahan penggunaan konjungsi meliputi pengulangan berlebihan, penggunaan konjungsi di awal kalimat, serta ketidaktepatan dalam membedakan konjungsi dengan keterangan waktu. Secara umum, kemampuan siswa dalam menggunakan konjungsi tergolong cukup baik, tetapi masih memerlukan peningkatan pada aspek kebakuan bahasa, variasi konjungsi, dan keefektifan struktur kalimat. Temuan penelitian ini diharapkan dapat menjadi dasar perbaikan pembelajaran menulis narasi di SMP.