Literature ReviewWeek 5

Class Overview

• Some punctuation rules.• A quick review of synthesis• Introduction to a literature review• Body of a literature review• Conclusion of a literature review• In-class writing assignment with your thesis statements• ???• Profit!

Some punctuation rules

1. Punctuation comes after the quote and after the parenthetical citation.

Example: The focal point of West and Zimmerman’s article is useful to us because it maintains that “gender itself is constituted through [social] interaction” and the accomplishments that are associated with these interactions (129).

Another example: In fact, psychologist Joseph H. Pleck notes that exaggerated masculine performances have directly resulted in “delinquencies and violence, conservative social attitudes (for example, authoritarianism, homophobia, [and sexism]), and [extreme forms of socially acceptable behaviors like] bodybuilding” (96).

Some punctuation rules

2. Commas do not separate two complete sentences. This error is often called a “comma splice.”

Example of a comma splice: My dog’s name is Shawn, he is a long-haired dachshund.

Corrected: My dog’s name is Shawn. He is a long-haired dachshund.

Some punctuation rules

3. Don’t forget to add a comma after an introductory element.

Incorrect example: Even though it might seem like a good idea you should not live by the principles of YOLO.

Corrected: Even though it might seem like a good idea, you should not live by the principles of YOLO.

Some punctuation rules

Another example of introductory clause with and without a comma:

Incorrect: When you write like a champion you make good grades on your assignments.

Correct: When you write like a champion, you make good grades on your assignments.

Some punctuation rules

4. Semicolons usually indicate that two separate, complete sentences relate to each other. Note: there are about 20 other rules for semicolons, but this is the most common one.

Example: I like Justin Timberlake’s new song; don’t judge me.

Another example: Call me tomorrow; I will give you my answer then.

Put my knowledge (and wit) to the test: what quick questions do you have about grammar?

Synthesis

• When you synthesize sources, you are showing how they overlap and relate.

• Note: When I say “relate,” I don’t necessarily mean “agree.” Sources can disagree or differ in some way yet still “relate” to one another. Many of you on BA2 focused entirely on similar plot details as opposed to showing us how the sources differ or disagree in some way.

Literature Review Directions

• 1,500 words

• At least 8 sources

• One paragraph in which you show scholarly research that disagrees or goes against your topic idea.

How to Write a Pro Literature Review

What a literature review is not (i.e. the reason why most students do poorly on the literature review).

• It is not a summary of the scholarly research you have discovered.

• It is not an argumentative essay.

What a literature review IS

• A good literature review surveys recent critical debate on your topic.

• It shows how these debates overlap, where they agree, where they disagree, etc.

• A good literature review synthesizes.

Literature Review Introduction

• Tells your reader the topic of your literature review and how you have focused that topic. In other words, what’s the subtopic? Why should we care about it?

• You must bring in the idea of your specific research and show readers that you’ve carefully selected your articles.

• Your thesis statement will tell readers what current scholarly research is saying about your topic.

In-Class Writing Assignment

• I will read the following introduction aloud.

• Work with one or two other people.

• Write a few sentences in which you explain what is good about the introduction and what can be improved based on what we just talked about.

In a world were alcohol is around us every day, one choice while drinking can affect the rest of your life and the lives of others. Drinking while driving (DWI) is one of the most heinous crimes committed every day; some people don’t think they are doing anything wrong, but in all actuality there committing a very serious and dangerous crime. Many studies and research’s have been done on drunk driving, but how can this help on cracking down on minors drinking and driving? Under age drunk driving and the laws behind them have always been under great debate, but does the government have strict enough laws backing a DWI or underage DWI, are they too light of a penalty? Top researchers from around the country published excellent articles defining the laws of America’s DWI policy providing statistics, facts, and hard evidence supporting their statements. Many of the researchers are for it, while some researchers are against drunk driving.

The Body of a Literature Review

• Each paragraph should talk about a separate issue regarding your topic. In other words, do not spend multiple paragraphs talking about one issue. It often helps to put a subheading above each of your body paragraphs (more on this in a bit)

• Each paragraph should have a topic sentence that serves as a mini thesis statement for that paragraph.

• Above all, your goal with each paragraph is to show how your scholarly texts relate to each other and how they help you and your readers learn more about the topic.

• Important: I want you to dedicate at least one paragraph in your literature review to a source that argues against your research topic.

A few tips as you’re organizing your body paragraphs:• Good research always shows both sides of the debate. Even with sources

that are on the same topic, you may find that they differ or disagree in some way. (Mention BA2 and synthesis)

• If you only talk about one source per paragraph, you’re doing it wrong.

• Summary of sources is okay, but make sure that you’re relating that summary to another source.

• DO NOT TRY TO INJECT YOUR OPINION OR ARGUMENT.

In H.Laurence Ross and Phillip Gonzales article called, “Effects of license revocation on drunk driving offenders”, they talk about how getting a DWI can get your license revoked. Ross and Gonzales say that, even though DWI offenders get there license taken away what good does that do when there still going to drive illegally (Ross and Gonzales). They both feel that taking you license away doesn’t do anything to the offender because if they’re going to drive illegally then there more likely to go out and do it again. Ross and Phillip state at the end of their article that “The American government should crack down and take DWI’s more seriously” (Ross and Gonzales). In this statement what they want the government to do is take a DWI crime more seriously and not like a grain of salt.

Conclusion to a Literature Review

• You need to restate your thesis.

• Most important: What are the consequences/results of this research? In other words, what has this research, as a whole, enabled us to learn about your topic?

For the past century alcohol has been the part of many people’s lives. Americans will not stop drinking for no reason until something fatal has happened to them. Research and studies will continuously tend to come out and show the statistics of people being killed from someone that has had too many to drink. Each researcher has their own opinions on the problem with drunk driving but the evidence that they present is the only way they can help them back their own opinions. But hearing the researcher’s opinions there is always room for debate on if the laws we have in place are just able.

1. Work with the same partner(s) that you have been working with in class.

2. Read their thesis statements and write down feedback on the paper that you have already used for the previous two exercises. In other words, tell them what is good about their thesis, how it can be improved, etc.

3. We will discuss your thesis statements when we are done.