A literature review might be seen as reading a book and then giving it a thumbs up or thumbs down.Nope, not true.A literature review is a look at various pieces of literature on a single topic.The literary review can be a part of a larger research paper.It's purpose is to point the way for further research.
Step 1: Make sure your professor's requirements are clear.
You may be asked to do a literature review, but not get more specific than that.Maybe they did, and you were playing Plants vs Zombies.Knowing precisely what your professor is looking for is the first step to getting that A.How many sources should you include?Does he/she want a specific number for each type?Do they need to be current?Do you just summarize or critique your themes?Some reviews do not require a thesis.Is it a good idea to give your opinion on your sources?Do you need to give background information to your audience?There is a page or word requirement.
Step 2: You should narrow your topic.
While still having the amount of sources necessary, get as narrow as possible.If you study birth order of same-sex siblings, you'll be able to find sources much more quickly and easily.Get up to date.If you are writing a review in the humanities, history, or social sciences, you can afford to be less concerned with timing.Information from 5 years ago could be obsolete if you are writing a literary review for the sciences.You can get a sense of what your discipline expects from current literature reviews.
Step 3: A focus can be found.
You are not just gathering sources and summing up what they have to say.You should be thinking about what themes and ideas connect your sources.Think of these books as a group of friends arguing about the same thing.What are they thinking?How are they the same?You have to read between the lines.You aren't necessarily looking for explicit content.Is there something missing in the field?Are your sources all saying the same thing?Do you think trends are revealed?Zeroing in on what will give your paper purpose is what this will help you do.
Step 4: Make a thesis.
Now that you've found your focus, it's time to write a thesis statement.You might think that literature reviews don't have thesis statements.They have theses, but they're not the same.Your thesis statement won't necessarily argue for a position or an opinion, but will argue in favor of a particular perspective on the material.Current trends in the topic are A, B, and C, or "The X Theory is assumed by most sources from 1985 on."Stating something like this makes your review more interesting and meaningful because you have to ask how trends will change in the future.If the theories are wrong, what should we do?This is not new information.You aren't analyzing the material and coming up with your own perspective on it.You are acting like a computer and all your sources are taking the same assumptions.
Step 5: Determine your sources.
If your sources aren't viable, you can only have the best of intentions and a form of prose that convinces the skeptics.There is a person named finito.Make sure your sources are evaluated.What are the author's credentials?How are their arguments supported?Is the author's perspective objective?Do they ignore data to make their points seem stronger?How persuasive are they?Do they leave anything to be desired?Does their work lead to a better understanding of the subject?
Step 6: The introduction should be solid.
First impressions are important.Your introduction should give you a quick idea of the topic of your review.Let the reader know what kind of ride they are in for.Place your thesis statement at the end of your introductory paragraph.Your reader should expect to get into the evidence and bulk of your paper at the end.
Step 7: The body should be organized.
The part where you have the most options is here.Since they're all on the same topic, they probably have a lot in common.For your specific focus, choose whichever way seems the most natural to you.Put it in chronological order.If you are dealing with differing opinions by era or changing trends, chronological organization may be the best way to go.You can arrange it by publication.If each publication has a different stance, this method works well.This works swimmingly if there is a natural progression between the sources.It should be arranged by trend.If you notice patterns in your sources, you should arrange them according to the trends they suggest.Certain sources may suggest a pattern that changes over time.It should be arranged thematically.This is dependent on your thesis statement and what sources you have chosen.If you choose a focus that is more abstract, the subsections may be arranged in different ways to put the theme across.
Step 8: It's time to come to a conclusion.
The closing paragraph needs to wrap up your paper, reiterate what was said in the introduction, and discuss what you've drawn so far from your studies.You could make your conclusion suggestive.If someone else picked it up, where would the discussion go?The patterns and holes in today's sources have consequences.
Step 9: Use the evidence.
You can combine multiple sources into your own words to make an argument.You are relying on the work of professionals to back up your words.Don't use quotes too much.The literature review does not allow for in-depth discussion or detailed quotes from the text.It should be written by you, even though some short ones are fine.
Step 10: You should keep your own voice.
You should start and end each paragraph with your own words, even though you aren't presenting information that sprang up from your mind.Your voice should be front and center.Be sure to represent the author's information or opinions accurately and in your own words when using a source that isn't yours.You can relate it to your review.Some professors want you to evaluate the sources and find out which pieces add the most to the field.If you are interested in this, you should string the introduction throughout your paper.
Step 11: The guidelines need to be reviewed.
Some professors like their papers in a certain way.Make sure yours is in line with the guidelines.Do you know if your instructor requires APA formatting?How should your margins be?There are headings, footers, footnotes, and page numbers.How do you want your name, headings, and subheadings to appear?How do you want your work to be cited?
Step 12: Check for transitions and flow.
It's not easy to nail clear and concise writing on the first try.If your work was ambiguous or wordy, rephrase it.Does everything flow together when it's clear?Do you transition well from paragraph to paragraph?Your evidence should line up with the support and your sources should flow logically.Slang or jargon can be eliminated.You may have grown a new vocabulary, but your professor has not.Write a paper that people will read.Don't make it too complicated.
Step 13: Look at your work.
You have the hard part down.All you have to do is go over it.It's a good idea to take a break between writing and editing.When you're ready, jump back at it.It's best to have someone else watch your work.You can no longer see yourself in Portuguese because you have read it so many times.A different set of eyes can locate mistakes, ask questions you didn't realize were left unaddressed, or seek clarification on the foggier points.