Development of the Declarative Style Module Based on Quranic Verses in Arabic Rhetoric: A Needs Analysis

Abstract

Acquiring proficiency in the Arabic rhetoric poses a substantial challenge for non-native Arabic speakers. As the educational landscape continues to evolve, it is crucial for educators to be adequately prepared to address the diverse needs of students, thereby ensuring the successful achievement of learning outcomes. A key focus should be on refining learning modules, which play a pivotal role in facilitating effective comprehension and mastery of this complex discipline. These modules must be carefully designed to meet the specific needs of students, while aligning with the broader objectives of learning the Arabic rhetoric. The implementation of insufficiently developed modules can significantly hinder the learning process. Therefore, conducting a comprehensive needs analysis is essential to ensure that the development of these modules is precisely tailored to the diverse needs of the student population. This study aims to identify the necessity of incorporating the declarative style within a Quran-based module (MUKQ) to facilitate the learning of the Arabic rhetoric among university students. A total of 230 students from the Faculty of Islamic Contemporary Studies at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) participated in this research, which employed a purposive sampling technique. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and subsequently analyzed descriptively using SPSS. The findings indicate that 96.1% of respondents acknowledged that integrating Quranic verses into the study of declarative style significantly enhances comprehension and facilitates a deeper understanding of the subject. Furthermore, 94.8% of participants asserted that the interpretation of Quranic verses plays a crucial role in enhancing their understanding of declarative style. In contrast, 58.7% of respondents indicated difficulties in comprehending declarative style when classical Arabic poetry was incorporated. Moreover, 75.2% of students reported rarely consulting classical Arabic rhetoric textbooks to support their understanding of the subject. These findings highlight the critical need for the development of the MUKQ as supplementary material to enhance the learning experience of Arabic rhetoric at the university level. It is anticipated that the MUKQ will enable students to more effectively grasp the declarative style, fostering a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of Arabic rhetoric. Future work should explore on creating a comprehensive module with clear interpretations, exercises, and the integration of Quranic verses to improve students' understanding of Arabic rhetoric. In conclusion, the creation of the MUKQ is essential as a supportive tool to facilitate more efficient and impactful learning within the field of the Arabic rhetoric.