Writing hortatory exposition texts poses considerable challenges for EFL students, particularly at the senior high school level. This study aimed to investigate the barriers faced by XI-1 students at SMAN 1 Sidayu in composing hortatory exposition texts and identify the factors influencing their writing performance. Using a descriptive quantitative approach, data were collected through students’ writing tasks and questionnaires administered to 32 participants. The research involved analysing students’ written texts and administering a questionnaire to uncover both internal and external factors. The results revealed that students struggled most with constructing arguments and applying accurate grammar, despite reporting high levels of self-motivation. Furthermore, external support from family, school, and the surrounding environment was perceived as minimal.
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