Abstract:
This study attempts to investigate the obstacles of General Certificate of Education
(GCE) Ordinary Level (O/L) students of T/Mu/Al-Hilal Central College, Mutur in using the
correct punctuation markers in writing. 20 GCE (O/L) students were randomly selected for
data collection from the total population of 60 students. This study employs qualitative research
methodology applying observation and a test as research instruments to collect the data. The
finding shows that most of the participants do not have previous knowledge about punctuation
markers except full stop, capitalization, and question marks. Most of them do not have an idea
of apostrophe, quotation marks, exclamation marks, ellipsis, and more. They encounter
difficulties in identifying and using punctuation markers accurately in writing. This study
recommends the following as remedies; teaching punctuation rules using the deductive
method, applying interesting punctuation activities and games in the classroom, correcting
students' writing strictly focusing on punctuation errors, giving reading practice, and explaining
the way the punctuations have been used in writing.
