On Tuesday, 21 March 2023, a community service activity entitled “Introducing the Techniques for Writing Scientific Articles for High School Students” was carried out at SMAN 2 Semarang. This activity aims to equip high school students with the basic skills needed to write good scientific articles. This activity was initiated by Fajria Noviana, S.S., M.Hum., Zaki Ainul Fadli, S.S., M.Hum., and Ichlasul Ayyub, S.S., M.Sc., along with the team of their students.
This activity began with an explanation of the meaning, characteristics, and types of scientific articles delivered by Imam Rafi Ar Rasyid and Putri Zahra Dwinata, fifth-semester students of the Japanese Language and Culture Study Program. Rafi and Zahra explained the purpose of writing scientific articles and the structures that are commonly used. They also explained things scientific article authors should do and avoid when writing one while showing an example of an article that fits this general structure.
After receiving an explanation and seeing an example of a good scientific article, participants then practiced observing the advantages and disadvantages of several scientific articles displayed. Then, in the Q&A session, several participants asked technical questions, for example, how to cite and compile a bibliography using reference managers such as Mendeley and Zotero, while other participants asked for tips on preparing effective abstracts and introductions.
Through this activity, SMA Negeri 2 Semarang students gain additional insight and skills about how to compose scientific articles, which will help them develop critical and analytical thinking skills, as well as develop logical and systematic writing skills. Thus, these community service activities as a whole have an important value in developing students’ character and academic skills, which will indirectly contribute to their efforts to achieve success in the future.