Synthesis in the "Real World"

We have been studying synthesis in relation to essays, but how you may ask can synthesis relate to real world experiences? In the real world, as in essays, we must often present convincing arguments in order to get results. My synthesis story will better explain what I mean.

Busy wives and mothers everywhere can I am sure relate to being overwhelmed with tasks. And what is one task that is constant and can be extremely overwhelming with so much on our plates? Laundry! As a wife, mother, and student, I often find it tiresome doing so much laundry each week due to my having a washing machine and dryer that can only do one load at a time. So, let's say that I want to convince my husband that we should purchase a newer washing machine and dryer set that can do two loads or more of laundry at once - such as the newest Whirlpool model. It will not be enough for me to say that we need this machine because I am becoming overwhelmed. I must convince him that the machine is worth the purchase, and to do so I must not only give a convincing argument, but I must back it up with evidence.

Two things that my husband may be concerned with are price and if the machine really does cut the workload in half and yet still cleans the clothes effectively. Now, let's say that I have done my research (both via the internet and by asking a friend who has the washer and dryer set) on pricing and have found the best price to be at Lowes. I would then convey this argument to my husband by showing him the prices of the set at Lowes and comparing them to prices of other stores who offer the same product, and then I would tell him that my friend purchased her set there after price shopping as well and found Lowes to be the best bargain.

Agreeing that Lowes has the best price after seeing the evidence, my husband may then move on to the quality of the product. How he may ask do I know that that particular washer and dryer set could cut the workload in half and still be effective? I would then have to give him evidence that supports these claims. Perhaps I could use evidence from consumer reports and give him statements from my friend who has told me she never would have believed the amount of time the set saved her on laundry until she tried it for herself, and that now she is less overwhelmed at least in that area of her life.

By using multiple "sources" to strengthen my argument, I would have a better chance for my husband's consent to buying the products than if I had presented and compared little or no evidence with my argument. Synthesis has the same advantage in an essay. It strenthens the argument, and it helps your audience to realize that you are not just simply making a claim, but that you have the sources to back it up.