Step 1: Identify the introduction paragraph
The thesis statement is usually 1-2 sentences and found in the introduction paragraph of an article. The introduction is the first paragraph of the article and it provides an overview of the article's topic. Look for the sentence or sentences that express the main idea of the article.
Step 2: Look for the word(s) that indicate a thesis statement
Thesis statements often use words such as "the purpose of this essay is", "the main goal of this article is", "in this paper, I argue", "the thesis of this article is", "this essay will examine", "this article contends", "this article demonstrates", "this article investigates".
Step 3: Read the sentence that contains the thesis statement
Once you find a sentence that looks like it might be a thesis statement, read the sentence carefully to make sure that it meets the criteria for a thesis statement. A good thesis statement is arguable and specific. It makes an assertion about the topic and it can be debated or proven.
Step 4: Revise and refine the thesis statement (optional)
Sometimes the thesis statement from an article needs to be revised or refined to be more specific or clear. If necessary, you can reword the thesis statement to make it more concise or to use more precise language.