Abstract

The objective of this article is to propose a set of recommendations for the discursive construction of the approach to the research problem in a master’s thesis in Linguistics. From theoretical point of view, it is based on the model of moves and rhetorical steps, while didactically it subscribes to the propositions of academic literacy and, in terms of methodology, it is based on action research. Among the recommendations, the elaboration of this genre stands out through three rhetorical moves (establishing the territory, establishing the niche and occupying the research niche), the establishment of the thematic territory through the exhaustive review of previous studies, the use of structures introduction to the rhetorical steps and the handling of linguistic resources, as denial mechanisms and modalizers to favor the position of the author before the frontiers of knowledge.

Keywords:
Problem statement; Linguistics thesis; model of moves and rhetorical steps; academic literacy