Here are two ways of getting to a thesis in relation to Swimme's text on consumerism:

Area of inquiry: Consumerism in America

Topic: Consumerism in my experience

Focused topic: One experience of consumerism in my own experience—namely, getting new dresses for Easter Sunday

Question at issue: Does getting a new dress each Easter mean that I subscribe to consumerism as a religion? Moreover, what happens when Christianity and consumerism intersect?

Thesis: Although Swimme might see me as polluting Christianity with consumerism, I will use my experience of getting new dresses for Easter to argue that I am not guilty of the “religion of consumerism” because dressing nicely on church holidays does not participate in the cycle of dissatisfaction.

Area of inquiry: Consumerism in America

Topic: Consumerism in my experience

Focused topic: My possible addiction to Apple iPods

Question at issue: Does having to buy each new version of the iPod mean that I subscribe to consumerism as a religion?

Thesis: Although my purchasing of Apple products does not necessarily constitute “religious” adherence, I will use my various iPods to argue that I am guilty to some degree of addiction to consumerism because I experience the dissatisfaction that Swimme discusses.