A thread is a theme or symbol common to several articles or sources. I analyzed the following three articles looking for a common thread, “College is a Waste of Time” by Dale Stephens, “Importance of a college education” by Jeff McGuire and finally “Why Liberal Arts Matters” by Micheal S. Roth. After carefully analyzing all three articles, I chose “higher education is the gateway to success” as a common thread. This is a recurring point in all three articles; although not all opinions are the same, they are still related. To be successful, you need a broad knowledge of your field, to foster innovation and develop intellectual strength and flexibility, allowing you to take advantage of your education and apply it to any job for which you are qualified. Nowadays, having a narrow education limits your abilities in the ever-changing job market. Whether or not to go to college is a big decision not to be taken lightly. Stephens reported that the cost of tuition has increased 3.6 times compared to 20 years ago; and not only that, but student loan debt surpassed credit card debt in 2010 by a staggering $1 trillion. This may scare prospective students, but does it outweigh the thought of generating a good income immediately after graduation? It varies from student to student. If the student is dedicated enough, anything is possible. Stephens believed that if we focused on collaborative growth, sharing ideas, and, above all, promoting social growth, we would naturally be more creative and innovative, because we wouldn't be regurgitating the same facts that have been written about for years. You are using the experience to learn and you are using the application to gain a greater understanding of how… halfway through the paper… and McGuire focused on the importance of college and its intricate role in the success in place of Work. I came to my conclusion that it was a mix of different points from all three articles. In my eyes the thread is accurate. I believe that higher education is very important. Getting a higher education allows you to understand topics as a whole and learn the important skills of cultural understanding and ethical reasoning. I view education as more than a piece of paper, I view it as a resource that forever changes your life for the better. Works Cited McGuire, Jeff. “The Importance of a College Education.” Article recommendations. Np, nd Web. November 24, 2013. Roth, Michael S. “Why the Liberal Arts Matter.” CNN. Cable News Network, May 21, 2011. Web. November 25, 2013. Stephens, Dale. “College is a waste of time.” CNN. Cable News Network, June 3, 2011. Web. November 26. 2013.