Factors Underlying Difficulties Saudi Undergraduate Male Students Encountered in Writing Traditional Argument Essays: A Case Study of Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University

Abstract

This case study attempted to investigate the factors underlying the difficulties PMU Saudi, undergraduate, male students encountered in writing traditional, argument essays for a core, writing course (COMM 1311) they took in the fall semester of 2017/2018. Using the purposive sampling technique and structured interviews to collect the data, the researcher interviewed PMU Saudi, undergraduate, male, students who took the course. Data saturation was achieved as a result of thirteen interviews. Then applying data-driven coding (open coding), MAXQDA 2020 was utilized to analyze the data. The analysis resulted in five factors responsible for the students’ writing difficulties. They were as follows: the instructor’s ineffective teaching style, the instructor’s negative attitude toward the students, the students’ insufficient writing competencies, the students’ negative attitude toward writing, and the textbook difficulties.