THE ARGUMENT STRUCTURE OF THE DISCUSSION SECTION OF THE UNDERGRADUATE THESIS BY THE ENGLISH EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM STUDENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF BENGKULU

The aim of this research is to find out the argument common-structure and
the types of supporting ideas of the discussion section of the undergraduate thesis
by the English Education Study Program Students of the University of Bengkulu.
This research was a descriptive qualitative research. The subjects of this research
were discussion sections of undergraduate thesis by English Education Study
Program Students of University of Bengkulu. There were 30 theses as the sample
consisting 10 theses from 2016/2017, 2017/2018, and 2018/2019. The research
instrument used in this research was a checklist. Based on the data analysis, it was
found that there are 40 % complete arguments, 57% semi-complete argument, and
3% incomplete argument. It is also found that the use of supporting ideas in thesis
discussion was dominated by 39% references, 26% data, 25% logic, 9% example,
and 1% illustration. From the research findings, it can be concluded that, first
from 30 thesis discussions section the number of complete arguments are still
lower than the number of semi-complete argument, following by incomplete
arguments. Second, the authors tend to used references as the supporting ideas,
followed by data and logic, and last was example and illustration. Last, it seems
like the students tend to use semi complete arguments as the common-structure
and reference as the supporting ideas in their thesis discussion sections.
Key Words : Argument Structure, Discussion Section, Thesis