Stating and Defending New Knowledge Claim: A Rhetorical Analysis on the Discussion Section of English Master Thesis by Indonesian EFL Learners

The discussion section is considered the most important section of a thesis but also the most difficult to write especially by university students. This study investigated the move-step and rhetorical pattern of discussion section in 20 English Master Theses written by Indonesian EFL postgraduate students. Following the model suggested by Loan and Pramoolsook (2015), this study found that students constructed the discussion section according to their perceived communicative purposes of discussion section. The most noticeable feature of the section is the occurrence of Move 2 (reporting results) and Move 4 (Commenting on results) occurring in all texts making them obligatory moves. In terms of step, interpreting results and referring to other studies in Move 4 are also considered as obligatory steps. The findings of this study are useful particularly for EFL students; that is to facilitate them to better understand the rhetorical structure of thesis discussion section when written in English.