Imagine you are talking with a student who does not know how to identify the thesis in this article AIDS in Africa: Dying by the numbers. What suggestions might you propose to help the student understand the task at hand?
http://www.answers.com/thesis
"Grammar Dictionary: thesis
The central idea in a piece of writing"
After reading the article, ask the student to find the ONE SENTENCE in the piece (probably very near the beginning) in which the main idea is stated -- the point of a well written article is to prove that the thesis is true, to persuade all the readers to agree with the author.
The thesis statement tells what the article is about. It's often the last sentence of the first paragraph -- but not always. The student should decide what the author wants to say and then find the sentence that summarizes this. We've answered many questions about this article. I'm sure you'll find some help in these answers.
http://www.jiskha.com/search/?cx=partner-pub-6139709814771217%3Aktl1qf7btav&cof=FORID%3A11&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Dying+by+the+numbers#1376
To help the student understand how to identify the thesis in the article "AIDS in Africa: Dying by the numbers," here are some suggestions:
1. Read the article: Start by reading the entire article carefully. This will give you an overall understanding of the topic and the author's perspective.
2. Look for the main idea: The thesis is usually the main idea or central argument of the article. Look for a sentence or a paragraph that appears to be the primary point that the author is trying to convey.
3. Pay attention to the introduction and conclusion: Many authors explicitly state their thesis in the introduction or conclusion of an article. These sections often provide a concise summary of the author's position.
4. Identify supporting arguments or evidence: The thesis is often supported by specific arguments or evidence presented throughout the article. Look for statements or paragraphs that support, elaborate, or defend the main idea.
5. Analyze the author's tone and purpose: Consider the tone of the article and the purpose the author is trying to achieve. This can help you understand the underlying message and ultimately identify the thesis.
6. Look for repetition and emphasis: Authors often repeat key phrases or ideas to convey their main point. Pay attention to any repetition or emphasized statements that may indicate the thesis.
7. Consider the article's structure: The thesis is typically presented early on in the article, but it could also be developed gradually throughout the text. Understanding the structure of the article can help you locate the thesis effectively.
Remember that identifying the thesis is a subjective task, and different readers may interpret an article differently. It's essential to analyze the article critically and make a well-supported conclusion about the author's main argument or central idea.