1) Subtle Thesis: The author of "On Dumpster Diving" accomplishes the use of a subtle thesis by giving us the impression that he is a typical high school drop out hobo or wino. When he really is a very well educated man who just doesn't want to see anything be put to waste. The thought of someone who is very literate digging through trash sounds stupid at first but after hearing why the man digs through trash it is a very intellectual and economical though.
2) Description: The author describes what he finds in the dumpster with such great detail. He attempts to figure out every detail on why the people would throw out food,clothing, or any other thing he could deem useful. He also described his past experiences that help him pick out what is safe and what is harmful.
3) Narrative: The author tells the story about digging through trash and finding items that he can use to not let anything go to waste. Most people will never experience dumpster diving so it is hard for someone to paint a picture of what it would be like. The author wrote this narrative to describe what his wast less life is like.